Published 6-4-2020By Luke Haney Former Thomaston Police Officer Walter Navarro was asked to resign or be terminated following a viral image of Navarro wearing a black facial cleansing mask with the caption “’I date a black man’” circulating social media outlet Facebook. During his meeting with TPD Chief Mike Richardson, Navarro explained that he took the photo wearing the face mask during the first week of May. He shared it privately with a group of friends on the social media platform “Snapchat” and thought no more about the photograph, according to a statement released by Richardson. Navarro claims that his girlfriend, who was also in the picture, added the caption. After sharing a post on Facebook condemning the actions of the officer in Minneapolis regarding the death of George Floyd, Navarro discovered that someone had posted the image of him to his Facebook feed and Navarro immediately notified his supervisor about the post. A group of concerns citizens gathered at Greatest Generation Memorial Park Friday evening to speak on the issue. The group created signs with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X quotes to demonstrate the pain that his image caused in the community. Rhondalynn Traylor, member of Thomaston Improvement Association, said, “He bothered not only blacks, it bothered whites, bi-racials, Mexicans, it bothered a lot… people are hurting by actions of law enforcement, and for that to be here is very hurtful.” Traylor also expressed concerns that more can be done to prevent these types of incidents. “Right now, we need the police department to have some diverse training, some diversity training, and this needs to be on a more frequent basis,” she said. “We have a very young police department and, with that being said, the younger generation are so into the social media, but they need to realize that some consequences come behind it. It’s hurtful but we want to work through it.” Other participants voiced that Richardson should have been at the park to meet with the citizens, although Richardson said that he was unable to attend due to a prior engagement. “Whatever obligation he had, it wasn’t that important. I promise you,” commented one concerned citizen. “It’s not important when you have actual people who are here, who are telling you, ‘We are hurt, this is how we feel’.” Another woman stated, “At the end of the day, the apology needs to be just as loud as the disrespect and the humiliation. How can we ask these babies to feel comfortable when we have an officer blatantly on social media making fun of their heritage? Disrespecting what they are, a part of them. I don’t understand how everyone, black and white, is not outraged right now. Easily, Thomaston can turn into a Minneapolis. So when things get rough and people start acting on pure emotion, where are you now, Chief Richardson? …He just doesn’t want to face us.” After reviewing the situation, Richardson stated, “We decided that posting and disseminating a photograph of this nature on social media, regardless of the original intent, is unacceptable behavior and demonstrates a serious lack in judgement on behalf of a Thomaston Police Officer. Officer Navarro was asked to resign or be terminated, at which time he tendered his resignation. It’s an unfortunate situation that has breached the trust of the community and affects the professionalism of the department that we cannot and will not allow at the Thomaston Police Department.” “Officer Navarro is a Latino American police officer who made an extremely poor decision that had serious consequences,” Richardson continued. “He served the department well and during his two years on the job had never received a single complaint regarding conduct, rudeness, racial bias, or unprofessional behavior or the mistreatment of others of any nature. Regardless, in the end, we serve the public and if the public trust is broken, I have the responsibility to fix it. We cannot do our job effectively without the support and confidence of the community we serve. I hope that all young and old officers can learn from this situation and fully understand that their actions on or off duty, regardless of intent, can have a tremendous effect on the community and people they serve.”

DA Warns: Shootings Will Be Prosecuted

Published 6-4-2020By Bridge Turner In the aftermath of multiple shootings which resulted in numerous injuries and one death, acting District Attorney Marie Broder warned that such actions will not be tolerated in the Griffin Judicial Circuit, and particularly not in Upson County. “In Thomaston in recent weeks, we have seen an uptick in shootings. These shootings occurred after verbal altercations,” Broder said. “Let me be clear, it is NOT acceptable to shoot another human being because of a verbal fight. These acts will be prosecuted by my office.” Georgia law states that “a person is justified in using force which is intended or likely to cause death or great bodily harm only if he or she reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent death or great bodily injury to himself or herself or a third person, or to prevent the commission of a forcible felony.” (OCGA 16-13-21) “It is time for these senseless shootings to stop,” Broder stated. “This is not the Wild, Wild West. This is our home, our community, our neighbors. It’s time to stop the violence.” The Upson Beacon reported a shooting last week which left one man dead and two women injured, resulting in a murder charge, and a second incident which required the victim to be life-flighted and the shooter charged with aggravated assault. A third incident involving discharge of a weapon in the parking lot of Waffle House did not result in injury, and was not reported. A harsher stance taken by Broder and Thomaston Police Chief Mike Richardson against gun violence has resulted in additional charges stemming from the Waffle House incident. Added to the initial misdemeanor charge of reckless conduct, Erica Butler of Wesley Avenue in Thomaston now faces two counts of simple assault, discharge of a firearm on or near a public highway, discharge of a firearm on property of another, possession of a firearm without a permit, and obstruction, according to TPD reports. Butler, 32, allegedly fired a handgun into the air twice during a verbal argument in Waffle House parking lot amid multiple bystanders shortly after 3 a.m. Sunday, May 24. She left the scene in a Jeep Wrangler driven by Yulanduras Terry, and the vehicle was stopped by an Upson County Sheriff’s deputy traveling south on Highway 19, the report stated. Details were confirmed by witnesses, and law enforcement found two loaded handguns inside the vehicle. “After further investigation, Erica Butler has been charged with multiple weapons charges, two counts of simple assault and other criminal acts in connection to her discharging a weapon in the Waffle House parking lot during an argument on Memorial Day weekend,” Chief Richardson said. “The police department and citizens of Thomaston will not stand by while a handful of individuals choose to disregard the safety and peacefulness of our community. Firing a weapon in the air during the course of an argument is reckless and behavior that we will not allow in our city.” Terry, 33, of Gordon School Road, has been arrested and charged with obstruction or hindering of an officer for her role in the incident, according to the TPD report. “It should also be clear that anyone who assists offenders or obstructs the police department from investigating such reckless acts will also be arrested and prosecuted,” Richardson emphasized. “Ms. Terry fled the scene with the offender knowing she had committed a crime, hindering the police department’s investigation into the incident.”

COVID-19 Update

Published 6-4-2020 Upson County reported 283 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 34 deaths and 43 hospitalized at noon Tuesday, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health website, an increase of eight from the 275 confirmed cases, an increase of one death, and increase of four from 39 hospitalized at noon Tuesday one week earlier. Upson’s infection rate is 107.7 per 10,000 residents, an increase of 3.0 from 104.7 per 10k for the same period.Georgia grew to 47,899 cases (4,313 increase from same time last week/prior week’s increase was 4,962) as of noon Tuesday, with 8,302 hospitalized (up 791/prior week’s increase was 509) and 2,089 deaths (up 236/prior week’s increase was 204). Confirmed cases for counties bordering Upson were Monroe with 121 (43.6 per 10k) and 11 deaths, 24 hospitalized; Meriwether with 86 (40.9 per 10k) and two deaths, 13 hospitalized; Lamar, 71 (36.7 per 10k) and two deaths, 11 hospitalized; Pike, 54 (28.6 per 10k) with three deaths and 10 hospitalized; Talbot, 39 (63.3 per 10k) with two deaths and 13 hospitalized; Crawford, 28 (22.9 per 10k) with no deaths and four hospitalized; and Taylor, 22 (27.6 per 10k) with two deaths and nine hospitalized, Total number of positive cases among residents and staff at Harborview and Providence nursing homes increased by one from 149 to 150 during the same one-week period, with one new resident death totaling 31, according to Georgia’s Long-Term Care Facility COVID-19 Report from the Georgia Department of Community Health. The report shows Harborview (90 residents) with 31 resident cases (up one/34.4 percent infection rate), 28 staff cases (no increase), and 15 resident deaths (up one). Providence (75 residents) reports 63 resident cases (no increase/84 percent infection rate), 28 staff cases (no increase), and 15 resident deaths (no increase) from last week. Riverside Health & Rehabilitation has reported no positive cases. The Centers for Disease Control now recommends the use of face masks to help slow the spread of COVID-19, especially where social distancing is difficult to maintain such as in grocery stores or pharmacies. The CDC stresses the use of masks in areas of significant community-based transmission. For accurate and reliable information about COVID-19, log on to https://dph.georgia.gov/novelcoronavirus or https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

Published 5-28-2020 Corey Thomas of 6th Avenue in Thomaston has been charged with malice murder and two counts of aggravated assault following a shooting which resulted in the death of a local man and gunshot wounds to two local women, according to information from the Thomaston Police Department. Officers responded to reports of a shooting Saturday and found Joseph Homman of Thomaston lying in the front yard of 205 6th Avenue with an apparent gunshot wound to the chest. TPD officers and a deputy with the Upson County Sheriff’s Office rendered aid, but Homman later was pronounced dead at Upson Regional Medical Center. One female victim, Carrie Marrero of Thomaston, was treated at the scene by emergency medical services for a gunshot wound to the leg and transferred to URMC. A third victim, Katie Howington, arrived by car at the URMC emergency room with a gunshot wound to the arm. Preliminary investigation determined that an altercation among three men – victim Homman, resident Thomas, and Codey Piper – escalated during a party at the residence. Thomas displayed a weapon and fired several rounds, striking all three victims and causing the death of Homman. Alcohol was involved, according to the report. After further investigation, Piper was released with no charges. Thomas also was charged with possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. He is being held at the Upson County Jail with additional charges pending, the report concluded.

Man Charged with Aggravated Assault for Local Shooting

Published 5-28-2020 Marquis Parks was arrested and charged with aggravated assault last week after a shooting on Parkway Drive near Weaver Park, according to a Thomaston Police Department report. Parks shot Keith Shumate of Thomaston in the leg during a verbal altercation Tuesday, May 19, the report stated. Shumate was life-flighted to Macon and is expected to recover from the injury. Preliminary investigation indicated the two men had argued days earlier, encountered each other again at Dollar General on East Main Street, and agreed to meet at Weaver Park for a “fight.” After shooting Shumate, Parks left the scene, drove to his residence on Park Lane, and called 911. Parks admitted to his involvement, surrendered his weapon, and was transported to TPD for questioning. He is being held at Upson County Jail and additional charges may follow pending further investigation, according to the report. In an unrelated incident, Rodriquez A. Spencer, 24, remains at large after allegedly nearly striking TPD officer Morgan Prosser after a traffic stop Sunday. Prosser stopped a vehicle for noise ordinance violation, according to her report, near the intersection of Old Talbotton Road and South Green Street. When Prosser approached the vehicle, the driver placed the car in gear and “took off, almost running me over,” the report stated. Multiple units joined a chase which ended in a crash on Green Street, snapping a utility pole and leaving the suspect vehicle inoperable. The vehicle was not registered to Spencer, and the vehicle owner denied knowing the driver. Spencer fled on foot after the collision, and has not been located or arrested as of press time. He faces warrants for felony fleeing and multiple traffic offenses. Other arrests reported include Calvin F. Moore, 28, for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a Schedule I controlled substance, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, along with traffic violations; Kimberly A. Stewart, 27, possession of methamphetamine.

COVID-19 Update

Published 5-28-2020 Upson County reported 275 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 33 deaths and 39 hospitalized at noon Tuesday, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health website, an increase of 12 from the 263 confirmed cases, no increase in deaths, and increase of eight from 31 hospitalized at noon Tuesday one week earlier. Upson’s infection rate is 104.7 per 10,000 residents, an increase of 3.8 from 100.09 per 10k for the same period.Georgia grew to 43,586 (4,962 increase from same time last week/prior week’s increase was 9,064) cases as of noon Tuesday, with 7,511 (up 509/prior week’s increase was 1,428) hospitalized and 1,853 (up 204/prior week’s increase was 391) deaths. Confirmed cases for counties bordering Upson were Monroe with 118 (42.6 per 10k) and eight deaths, 18 hospitalized; Meriwether with 78 (37.1 per 10k) and one death, nine hospitalized; Lamar, 55 (28.4 per 10k) and one death, 10 hospitalized; Pike, 51 (27 per 10k) with two deaths and nine hospitalized; Talbot, 35 (56.8 per 10k) with one death and 11 hospitalized; Crawford, 28 (22.9 per 10k) with no deaths and four hospitalized; and Taylor, 21 (26.4 per 10k) with two deaths and eight hospitalized, Total number of positive cases among residents and staff at Harborview and Providence nursing homes increased from 145 to 149 during the same one-week period, with no increase in combined resident deaths totaling 30, according to Georgia’s Long-Term Care Facility COVID-19 Report from the Georgia Department of Community Health. The report shows Harborview (87 residents) with 30 resident cases (no increase/34.5 percent infection rate), 28 staff cases (up three), and 15 resident deaths (no increase). Providence (74 residents) reports 63 resident cases (up one/85 percent infection rate), 28 staff cases (no increase), and 15 resident deaths (no increase) from last week. Riverside Health & Rehabilitation has reported no positive cases. The Centers for Disease Control now recommends the use of face masks to help slow the spread of COVID-19, especially where social distancing is difficult to maintain such as in grocery stores or pharmacies. The CDC stresses the use of masks in areas of significant community-based transmission. For accurate and reliable information about COVID-19, log on to https://dph.georgia.gov/novelcoronavirus or https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

Joint Law Effort Nets Terel King

Published 5-21-2020 A joint effort involving the U.S. Marshall Service, Upson County Sheriff’s Office, Thomaston Police Department and Zebulon Police Department resulted in the arrest of wanted felon Terel King in Upson last week. Members of the four agencies found King hiding in a shed behind the residence at 136 Long View Loop and took him into custody without incident. Information provided by Zebulon PD with assistance from the U.S. Marshall’s Service led to King’s location, reports stated. King is wanted for multiple felonies in numerous jurisdictions, including an aggravated assault charge against a Pike County officer. He escaped TPD personnel in February when a chase ended in a collision after King was identified in the Triune Village area of Thomaston. Two other individuals, Teresia Williams and Kenyatta Snipes, were arrested at the residence for harboring a fugitive. Additional charges are pending further investigation, according to reports from Upson Sheriff Dan Kilgore and TPD Chief Mike Richardson.

UL’s Gulley Named One of Nation’s Best MS Principals

Published 5-21-2020 Rhonda Gulley, principal of Upson-Lee Middle School in Thomaston, has been selected as the 2020 NAESP National Distinguished Principal, representing Georgia’s middle level principals. The National Association of Elementary School Principals established the program in 1984 to recognize and celebrate elementary and middle-level principals who set high standards for instruction, student achievement, character, and culture for the students, families, and staff members in their learning communities. “Rhonda Gulley was nominated and selected by her fellow principals through a statewide search process conducted by the Georgia Association of Middle School Principals,” said Dr. Bob Heaberlin, executive director of the Georgia Association of Middle School Principals. She earned a bachelor’s degree in middle grades education in 1995 from Mercer University; a master’s degree in instructional technology from Troy State University in 2003; and an Ed.S. in Educational Leadership from Columbus State University in 2011. Ms. Gulley has spent her entire educational teaching and administrative career in the Thomaston-Upson County School System. From 1995-2005, and in 2010-2011, she taught grades 4, 5, and 6 at Upson-Lee Elementary School and Upson-Lee Middle School. She served as an Instructional Coach at Upson-Lee Primary School from 2005-2010 and then became the assistant principal at ULMS from 2011-2013. In 2013, she was selected as the principal at Upson-Lee Middle School. “Principals create the necessary conditions for providing students with the well-rounded education that they need,” said Dr. L. Earl Franks, CAE, NAESP’s executive director. “NAESP’s National Distinguished Principals program recognizes the outstanding leadership of highly successful principals and their commitment to the children they serve, to their local communities, to their state, and our nation. Working in partnership with classroom teachers and other educators, these principals provide the necessary leadership to improve student achievement and ensure every student has a pathway to success.” In October, Ms. Gulley will travel to Washington, D.C., for two days of activities planned to honor and bring well-deserved recognition to the elementary and middle-level educators chosen by the states, the District of Columbia, plus private and overseas schools. It is particularly fitting to acknowledge the work of principals in October because it is National Principals Month, which was established to recognize and honor the contributions of school principals toward the success of the nation’s students and encourage awareness of their significance. Criteria for selection of the principals require that the honorees are active principals of schools where programs are designed to meet the academic and social needs of all students and where there are firmly established community ties with parents and local business organizations. Since 2014, Ms. Gulley has served in many capacities on the Board of Directors for the Georgia Association of Middle School Principals (GAMSP) and will assume the role of president for 2020-2021. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders (GAEL). Ms. Gulley has received numerous state honors and awards including the Georgia Distinguished Principal Award and the GAMSP Exemplary Leadership Award. Through her leadership as principal at Upson-Lee Middle, the school has been redesignated twice as a GAMSP Effective Middle School Program recipient. In addition, ULMS has earned five redesignations as a Georgia Lighthouse School to Watch/National Designated School to Watch by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Learning. Three of these redesignations have come under the leadership of Ms. Gulley. Upson-Lee Middle School consistently receives high marks for school climate on the state’s CCRPI, earning 4 out of 5 stars in 2019 and a perfect 5-star rating in 2018. Ms. Gulley led a team to write an application for ULMS to receive the Striving Readers Literacy Grant. This provided the Thomaston-Upson County School System $2.5 million to improve literacy over a three-year period. Dr. Larry Derico, Superintendent of Thomaston-Upson County Schools, stated, “Mrs. Gulley, now in her seventh year as principal, is a confident, skillful, and intelligent leader within the field of education and is focused on continuous improvement for herself, her faculty and staff, and her students. Under her leadership, great things continue to happen at Upson-Lee Middle School.” As a life-long resident of Thomaston and Upson County, Ms. Gulley has been active in several service organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce, Relay for Life, Recreation Department Football and Soccer Boards and Junior Women’s Club. She also has served on the Advisory Board of the School of Middle Childhood Education at Gordon State College. Rhonda is married to Russell Gulley and they have three sons, Logan, Barron, and Brooks. Since 1978, the Georgia Association of Middle School Principals has served as Georgia’s professional middle grades educational leadership association and now represents over 600 middle level principals and assistant principals throughout the state. In addition to being an affiliate of the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders, GAMSP maintains close ties with the metropolitan Washington, D.C.-based National Association of Elementary School Principals and its 20,000 educational leader members worldwide.

COVID-19 Update

Published 5-21-2020 ​Upson County reported 263 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 33 deaths and 31 hospitalized at noon Tuesday, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health website, an increase of 10 from the 253 confirmed cases, increase of nine from 24 deaths, and increase of four from 27 hospitalized at noon Tuesday one week earlier. Upson’s infection rate hit triple digits per 10,000 residents, posted at 100.09, an increase of 3.7 from 96.3 per 10k for the same period. Georgia jumped to 38,624 (9,064 increase from same time last week/prior week’s increase was 5,009) cases as of noon Tuesday, with 7,002 (up 1,428/prior week’s increase was 796) hospitalized and 1,649 (up 391/prior week’s increase was 238) deaths. Confirmed cases for counties bordering Upson were Monroe with 98 (35.3 per 10k) and seven deaths, 12 hospitalized; Meriwether with 70 (33.3 per 10k) and one death, 11 hospitalized; Pike, 44 (23.3 per 10k) with two deaths and nine hospitalized; Lamar, 42 (21.7 per 10k) with one death and seven hospitalized; Talbot, 30 (48.7 per 10k) with one death and 11 hospitalized; Taylor, 22 (27.6 per 10k) with two deaths and eight hospitalized; and Crawford, 19 (15.5 per 10k) and no deaths with four hospitalized. Total number of positive cases among residents and staff at Harborview and Providence nursing homes increased from 139 to 145 during the same one-week period, with no increase in combined resident deaths totaling 30, according to Georgia’s Long-Term Care Facility COVID-19 Report from the Georgia Department of Community Health. The report shows Harborview (88 residents) with 30 resident cases (up three/34 percent infection rate), 25 staff cases (down three), and 15 resident deaths (no increase). Providence (73 residents) reports 62 resident cases (up five/85 percent infection rate), 28 staff cases (up one), and 15 resident deaths (no increase) from last week. Riverside Health & Rehabilitation has reported no positive cases. The Centers for Disease Control now recommends the use of face masks to help slow the spread of COVID-19, especially where social distancing is difficult to maintain such as in grocery stores or pharmacies. The CDC stresses the use of masks in areas of significant community-based transmission. For accurate and reliable information about COVID-19, log on to https://dph.georgia.gov/novelcoronavirus or https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

Local NJROTC Program Awarded “Distinguished Unit”

Published 5-21-2020 The Upson Lee Navy Junior ROTC program was recently awarded “Distinguished Unit” for the 2019-2020 school year, marking the second consecutive year the program has earned the distinction. The award recognizes outstanding achievement and is based on unit success in community service, team competitions, college campus visits, military base visits and annual inspection results. The award is the highest any unit can receive and places the Knight Battalion among the best of all programs in Georgia and northern Florida once again. Congratulations to all of the cadets!

Upson Classified as “Hot Spot” for CoronavirusDepartment of Public Health Testing Staff “Will Be Here as Long as Needed”

Published 5-14-2020By Bridge Turner With positive cases and deaths continuing to rise and a per capita infection rate exponentially higher than all surrounding counties, the Georgia Department of Public Health has designated Upson County a “hot spot” for COVID-19, according to District 4 official Hayla Folden. Folden said a substantial amount of infection originated in certain local nursing homes, then accelerated because the general public failed to adhere to social distancing recommendations. “That [failure to social distance] still may be playing a part in it,” she stated. State DPH officials are testing an average of 60 people per day Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Thomaston-Upson Civic Center, and have added Saturday hours because of high demand, Folden explained. Tests are booked five minutes apart and are available by appointment only. “We’re testing to try to control the spread, and will be here as long a needed,” she said. “The data is about two weeks behind. If exposed, you may not show symptoms for 14 days. But if you wear a mask, wash your hands frequently and social distance now, [the community] will start seeing benefits from it in two weeks.” Despite being a topic of heated debate, Folden said even churches are required to adhere to guidelines, which include maintaining at least six feet of distance between all people at any gathering. “Larger congregations may need to wait,” she suggested. “We all need to be very mindful of our space, because you never know who has it.” Folden added that the DPH investigates complaints regarding large gatherings and failure to social distance.According to department recommendations, symptomatic individuals who do not work in a healthcare setting with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 can return to work when three criteria have been met: 72 hours have passed since recovery (defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medication); respiratory symptoms such as cough and shortness of breath have improved; and at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared. Folden also explained the discrepancy in nursing home deaths as compared to overall deaths reported in Upson County. Facilities are required to call the DPH daily with new positive cases, she said, but are not required to report related deaths from the disease. The lag in reporting deaths leads to numbers being skewed among different state entities. Nursing homes also cannot deny admittance based on the virus. Long-term care facilities “should admit residents who are no longer acutely ill back to their LTC residence, regardless of COVID-19 status,” according to the DPH interim guidance. “The decision to admit to a LTC facility should be based on clinical care needs, not on COVID-19 status. LTC facilities should not require hospitals to perform COVID-19 testing as a condition for LTC admission.” However, the document states that “all residents admitted to LTC facilities should be considered exposed to COVID-19. Most residents will therefore require transmission-based precautions after admission.” Precautions include designation of a quarantine area, 14-day monitoring for symptoms at least three times daily, resident isolation (if necessary) and resident wearing of face masks (if tolerated). Staff personal protection equipment should include gown, gloves, face mask, and eye protection in the form of goggles or a face shield.A test-based strategy is preferred to determine when precautions may be discontinued, but non-test-based strategy may be used if testing is not readily available. The guidance suggests the following for staff: •All staff in LTC facilities should be masked. •Healthcare personnel that are ill should stay home and notify their supervisor, especially if symptoms are consistent with COVID-19; if symptoms develop at work, the staff member should immediately go home to isolate. •Facilities should implement sick leave policies that are non-punitive, flexible, and consistent with the goal of allowing ill staff to stay home. •Facilities should ensure that staff affirm absence of CIVID-19 symptoms (sore throat, cough, fever) upon arrival for each shift. For prohibition of visitors, it suggests: •Offer alternative methods of visitation (Skype, Face Time, etc.), if available. •Actively assess all essential people entering the facility for a fever and respiratory symptoms; do not allow ill people to enter the facility. •Only allow visitors for compassionate end of life care; all such visitors should be masked (cloth masks are acceptable if surgical masks are not available), and instructed to perform hand hygiene frequently. For information about testing, call 1-800-847-4262.

Upson Lee Announces 2020 Valedictorian and Salutatorian

Published 5-14-2020 Upson-Lee High School Principal Dr. Jarvis Price has announced the Class of 2020 Top two Seniors. Colby Brooks McRae is the 2020 valedictorian, and Michael Knox Miller is salutatorian. Valedictorian is the senior with the highest overall numeric average who has also completed all available honors courses and at least three of the advanced placement (AP) courses in different core areas. Salutatorian is the student with the second highest overall numeric average who has completed the same courses described for eligibility of the Valedictorian. Colby McRae is the son of Barbie Phillips and Tim McRae. He has accepted an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy located in Colorado Springs, CO., valued at over $400,000. Appointments to the academy require at least one congressional nomination. Colby was honored to receive nominations from Senator David Perdue and Senator Johnny Isakson. Colby reports for basic cadet training on June 25 in Colorado Springs. He hopes to major in aeronautical engineering and become a pilot after graduation. While in high school, Colby has been a member of Student Council and is currently the Senior Class President. He also is a member of Beta Club and was the treasurer for National Honor Society. Colby is an avid runner and was a member of the ULHS Cross Country and Wrestling teams. Colby was named STAR student, was an honor graduate of Georgia Boys State, and was The Upson EMC Youth Tour Delegate. Knox Miller is the son of Ben and Mandy Miller. He will be attending the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega and plans to major in engineering. At ULHS, Knox was a four-year Letterman of varsity Cross Country Team and served as captain his senior year. He has been a member of Student Council for four years and served one year as class Secretary. Knox is Editor of the ULHS yearbook, a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, a graduate of the Thomaston-Upson Chamber of Commerce Youth Leadership Upson, and an Eagle Scout. He is a member of National Beta Club, National Honors Society, and is a Knight of Distinction.

COVID-19 Update

Published 5-14-2020 Upson County reported 253 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 24 deaths and 27 hospitalized at noon Tuesday, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health website, an increase of 12 from the 241 confirmed cases, increase of three from 21 deaths, and increase of three from 24 hospitalized at noon Tuesday one week earlier. Upson’s infection rate was posted at 96.3 per 10,000 residents, an increase of 4.6 from 91.7 per 10k for the same time period. Total number of positive cases among residents and staff at Harborview and Providence nursing homes increased from 124 to 139 during the same time period, with combined resident deaths up from 25 to 30 for the same period, according to Georgia’s Long-Term Care Facility COVID-19 Report from the Georgia Department of Community Health. The report shows Harborview (86 residents) with 27 resident cases (up one), 28 staff cases (up six), and 15 resident deaths (no increase). Providence (71 residents) reports 57 resident cases (up six), 27 staff cases (up two), and 15 resident deaths (up five) from last week. Riverside Health & Rehabilitation has reported no positive cases. Georgia jumped to 29,560 (5,009 increase from same time last week) cases as of noon Tuesday, with 5,574 (up 796) hospitalized and 1,258 (up 238) deaths. Confirmed cases for counties bordering Upson were Meriwether with 66 (31.4 per 10k) and one death, 10 hospitalized; Pike, 46 (24.4 per 10k) with two deaths and eight hospitalized; Lamar, 40 (20.7 per 10k) with one death and six hospitalized; Monroe, 40 (14.4 per 10k) with four deaths and eight hospitalized; Talbot, 27 (43.8 per 10k) with one death and 11 hospitalized; Taylor, 20 (25.1 per 10k) with two deaths and eight hospitalized; and Crawford, 20 (16.4 per 10k) and no deaths with four hospitalized. The Centers for Disease Control now recommends the use of face masks to help slow the spread of COVID-19, especially where social distancing is difficult to maintain such as in grocery stores or pharmacies. The CDC stresses the use of masks in areas of significant community-based transmission. For accurate and reliable information about COVID-19, log on to https://dph.georgia.gov/novelcoronavirus or https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

Conflicting Reports Encircle Harborview

Harborview Health Systems of Thomaston

Published 5-7-2020By Debbie McClain A former employee with Harborview Health Systems of Thomaston recently reported to Channel 5 Action News that she quit her job there because the facility was drastically understaffed, causing COVID-19 cases to rise in patients and staff. The confidential source said she was concerned about Harborview’s procedures and believed the system contributed to the virus spreading and causing deaths. She said she was the only CNA working in a building one night with about 100 patients, and that there were two deaths during that shift. She told Channel 5 that often there was only one CNA working the “sick hall,” and that lone employee would return to regular rooms to assist other patients, transmitting the virus in the process. Since the story aired, the Upson Beacon has been contacted by two other confidential sources who echoed the information on Channel 5. The sources said the facility continued taking new patients through April, despite management being aware of staffing shortage and a rise in COVID-19 cases. Other information provided to the Beacon includes threats made to staff members if they did not return to work, even when testing positive and showing symptoms, and failure to issue personal protection equipment until the first or second week of April because it was deemed “unprofessional.” One reported that CNAs from other facilities were brought in during the day in case there was an unannounced state inspection. The Beacon called Harborview Executive Director Sharlene Wright last week, but she refused to comment. Harborview’s Pat Wise, vice president of rehabilitation services, submitted the following statement from Wright: “Our primary interest is the protection of our staff and residents in these unprecedented times. We have been very careful with regard to infection control and have followed all CDC guidelines and state and federal regulations. The state has determined that we are in compliance. “While some of our residents have succumbed to this terrible disease, we are blessed in the manor that many of our staff and residents are getting well and recovering. We are grateful that we have had the appropriate tools and supplies to work with, some of which were provided by the Georgia EMA Coalition. And the National Guard has graciously assisted in keeping our facility clean and disinfected. “We ask the community to lift our facility up in prayer.” Jim Leibowtiz, one of the two owners of Harborview, said the employees there are working diligently to care for the patients and residents. He added that the “real story” is that the community needs to lift the employees and residents in prayer right now. He said the dedicated staff members are winning against the virus, that there are several residents preparing to be re-tested because they are doing so well, and several of the staff members are also ready to be retested. He said what is occurring at Harborview is a tragedy and that everyone involved would change it if they could.Leibowtiz asked if Trese Brits, the dietary manager for Harborview who previously tested positive for COVID-19, could call the Beacon and give a different account. Brits called and told the Beacon she has been home for 15 days and tested positive again, and that she will be retested in seven days. She said the company has continued to pay her full wage while she has been home quarantined, that she was issued her PPE early, and that if she needed anything, all she had to do was ask.Brits said she enjoys working at Harborview and has never had any problems. Brits said, “I feel much better and can’t wait until this is all over with, so I can go back to work.” Two other employees who tested positive for COVID-19 also called the Beacon and discounted the claims made by the confidential sources. The Georgia National Guard has been dispatched to Harborview twice in one month to clean the facility.According to the Georgia Department of Community Health’s Long-Term Facility report issued Monday evening, Harborview has 89 patients, 26 of those testing positive for COVID-19, and 15 resident deaths. There also are 22 staff members who tested positive.

COVID-19 Update

Published 5-7-2020 Upson County reported 241 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 21 deaths and 24 hospitalized at noon Tuesday, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health website, an increase of 35 from the 206 confirmed cases, increase of four from 17 deaths, and increase of nine from 15 hospitalized at noon Tuesday one week earlier. Upson’s infection rate was posted at 91.7 per 10,000 residents, an increase of 13.3 from 78.4 per 10k for the same time period. Total number of positive cases among residents and staff at Harborview and Providence nursing homes increased from 123 to 124 during the same time period, with combined resident deaths up from 22 to 25 for the same period, according to Georgia’s Long-Term Care Facility COVID-19 Report from the Georgia Department of Community Health. The report shows Harborview with 26 resident cases (up one), 22 staff cases (no increase), and 15 resident deaths (up two). Providence reports 51 resident cases (up one), 25 staff cases (down one), and 10 resident deaths (up one) from last week. Riverside Health & Rehabilitation has reported no positive cases. Georgia jumped to 29,560 (5,009 increase from same time last week) cases as of noon Tuesday, with 5,574 (up 796) hospitalized and 1,258 (up 238) deaths. Confirmed cases for counties bordering Upson were Meriwether with 56 (26.6 per 10k) and one death, nine hospitalized; Pike, 40 (21.2 per 10k) with 2 deaths and seven hospitalized; Lamar, 39 (20.2 per 10k) with one death and four hospitalized; Monroe, 29 (10.5 per 10k) with four deaths and seven hospitalized; Talbot, 25 (40.6 per 10k) with one death and 12 hospitalized; Taylor, 18 (22.6 per 10k) with two deaths and eight hospitalized; and Crawford, 18 (14.7 per 10k) and no deaths with four hospitalized. The Centers for Disease Control now recommends the use of face masks to help slow the spread of COVID-19, especially where social distancing is difficult to maintain such as in grocery stores or pharmacies. The CDC stresses the use of masks in areas of significant community-based transmission. For accurate and reliable information about COVID-19, log on to https://dph.georgia.gov/novelcoronavirus or https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

Published 5-7-2020By Luke Haney Members of the Upson Lee Class of 2020, along with family, friends and supporters, lined Highway 19 between the Greatest Generation Memorial Park and Thomaston Walmart Supercenter to protest the Thomaston-Upson Board of Education’s decisions regarding 2020 graduation procedures last Sunday. On May 4, the Thomaston-Upson BOE released a statement regarding the upcoming virtual graduation: “Upson-Lee High School will host a virtual commencement ceremony for the senior class of 2020 on Friday, May 29, at 8 p.m. The ceremony will be streamed on YouTube Premiere, and a link will be provided on the ULHS and Thomaston-Upson websites and social media sites. “Superintendent Dr. Larry Derico stated, ‘My heart goes out to all of our amazing seniors in the ULHS Class of 2020. We want to ensure that these young men and women receive the memorable and treasured recognition that they deserve. In addition to a unique and personalized virtual graduation ceremony, Dr. Price and his staff have planned special gifts and celebrations for the Class of 2020. ULHS seniors will have yard signs, purple porch lights, and a banner on the courthouse square. We are asking the community to join the celebration by coloring the town purple with purple porch lights and purple ribbons. We are also encouraging businesses to paint their windows or put up signs in support of these seniors. I look forward to this community coming together to honor the Upson-Lee High School Class of 2020!’” Graduates and their family members expressed concerns that more could be done. Students held signs with messages like “Class of 2020 Graduation Matters” and “Call the School Board.” Several parents have questioned why UL is not holding graduation when surrounding communities are holding graduation ceremonies in upcoming months. Upson-Lee High School reports the highest amount of senior students in comparison to surrounding counties with 299 students in grade 12. Pike County High School has 230 reported seniors, Lamar County High School has 168, Mary Persons High School in Monroe County has 288, Crawford County High School has 100, Taylor County has 94, Talbot County has 29, Greenville High School in Meriwether County has 61, and Manchester High School in Meriwether County has 101, all according to the Georgia Department of Education’s March 5 report. As of noon today, Upson County reports 246 confirmed COVID-19 cases with a case rate of 936.18 per 100,000; Pike County reports 41 confirmed cases with a case rate of 217.39; Lamar County reports 38 cases with a case rate of 196.41; Monroe County reports 34 cases with a case rate of 122.62; Crawford County reports 19 cases with a case rate of 155.38; Taylor County reports 18 cases with a case rate of 226.19; Talbot County reports 25 cases with a case rate of 405.98; Meriwether County reports 60 cases with a case rate of 285.44, all according to the Georgia Department of Public Health. Earlier today, Superintendent Dr. Larry Derico released a letter to elaborate on why the decision of a virtual graduation was made: “As the superintendent, I would like first to say that my heart goes out to all of our amazing seniors in the ULHS class of 2020. The class of 2020 has been deprived of many of the cherished milestone events of the last year of high school. The COVID-19 pandemic blindsided this state, the country, and the world and has interrupted all of our daily lives in unprecedented ways. “Dr. Price, high school leadership, and student leaders, along with myself and members of my cabinet, have put an enormous amount of time and thought into making a graduation decision that would allow the senior class to be celebrated in the safest and most meaningful way. A virtual graduation allows us the ability to safely recognize and celebrate our seniors and their academic accomplishments over the course of their educational careers. “We understand that seniors will not be able to take the historic walk across the stage at Matthews Field this month, as we must adhere to the safety guidelines set forth by federal and state leaders. The safety of our students has always been and will continue to be our first priority. We cannot predict the future impact that COVID-19 will have on our daily lives in the coming weeks and months; therefore, at this time, we cannot guarantee if or when a physical graduation may occur. As school leaders, we understand that this senior class did not have an opportunity to properly say their goodbyes to one another, and we recognize how painful this is for each of them. “It has been expressed by Dr. Price that the high school has planned to gather the senior class of 2020 back together at a later date for an event that will give this class a time for closure. Upson-Lee High School has not taken the possibility of having a physical graduation off of the table for late summer. If the conditions are safe and feasible for a physical graduation, based on information disseminated from federal, state, and local leaders, then a date and time for a physical graduation will be released. “To the senior class of 2020, I know that you have faced obstacles never encountered by another group of high school seniors, but you have continued to learn, grow, overcome, and succeed. On May 29, we will come together to honor and celebrate you. Always know that I believe in you and care deeply for each of you. I, along with our entire community, will forever remember the Upson-Lee High School Class of 2020. We are UL!”Sincerely,Larry Derico, Ed.D., Superintendent.

Hearts of Hope Over Upson

Fifteen airplanes saluted URMC, healthcare providers, first responders and essential workers in the Thomaston area by creating a heart above the community. Photo by Stacy Haygood.

Published 4-30-2020 ​ The Falcon RV Squadron of Peachtree City flew to Upson to perform “Hearts of Hope” above Upson Regional Medical Center in support of those tirelessly fighting COVID-19. The heart was visible throughout Upson County. Fifteen airplanes saluted URMC, healthcare providers, first responders and essential workers in the Thomaston area. “Hearts of Hope” have also been performed in Peachtree City, Griffin and Metro Atlanta.

Local COVID-19 Cases Continue to RiseUpson’s Per Capita Infection Rate More Than Triple State Average

Published 4-30-2020By Bridge Turner With more than 78 positive COVID-19 cases reported per 10,000 residents, Upson County’s per capita infection rate exceeds three times the overall average for the state of Georgia, according to multiple online sources.Most sources show Georgia slightly above 23 cases per 10,000 and Upson’s numbers stand at 78.4 per 10,000 as of noon Tuesday. If the state infection rate matched Upson County, Georgia’s 24,550 positive cases would soar past 83,000. For comparison, Fulton County is reported at 24.6 positives in 10,000 residents; Dekalb is at 23.7; Clayton at 21.7; Cobb at 19.1; and Gwinnett, 16.2. Upson’s neighboring counties range from Monroe with 8.3 to Talbot with a reported 35.7 per 10,000. Randolph County, just west of Albany, is on the extreme end of the scale with almost 231 cases per 10,000 residents. Thomaston City Manager Russell Thompson released a statement last week regarding Gov. Brian Kemp’s recent allowance to begin reopening state businesses and Upson’s climbing numbers. “The positive cases here in Upson County continue to rise. Per the governor’s most recent order… certain businesses previously closed will presumptively start to reopen at the discretion of their owners… These openings will not resemble operations as they were pre-COVID,” the city’s press release stated. “The governor has released 20 criteria that must be followed to maximize safety to staff and patrons as a condition of reopening. “The City of Thomaston would like to petition, urge, and reiterate to all citizens, to use their best judgement, adhere to safety precautions, and follow all previous guidance from the CDC and health department. Continue to social distance, stay home when practically possible, and be courteous to your fellow citizens,” the statement continued. “We are one community and depend on the actions of all to ensure public health. “The city will continue to provide services and guidance where prudent to our citizens, however the governor’s order has pre-empted local ordinances and actions of the governing bodies. This means that, as a local government, we cannot enact more stringent measures or alter in a more lenient fashion the order from the governor,” the press release explained. “We urge you, be smart and be safe!” Businesses reopening cannot allow more than 10 people to gather at a single location if it requires people to stand or sit within six feet of any other person (does not apply to cohabitating people outside of their homes, family units or roommates residing together). According to the Georgie Department of Public Health, businesses also must comply with measures which mitigate the exposure and spread of COVID-19, as follows: 1.Screening and evaluating workers who exhibit signs of illness, such as a fever over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, cough, or shortness of breath; 2.Requiring workers who exhibit signs of illness to not report to work or to seek medical attention; 3.Enhancing sanitation of the workplace as appropriate; 4.Requiring hand washing or sanitation by workers at appropriate places within the business location; 5.Providing personal protective equipment as available and appropriate to the function and location of the worker within the business location; 6.Prohibiting gatherings of workers during working hours; 7.Permitting workers to take breaks and meals outside, in their office or personal workspace, or in such other areas where proper social distancing is attainable; 8.Implementing teleworking for all possible workers; 9.Implementing staggered shifts for all possible workers; 10.Holding all meetings and conferences virtually, wherever possible; 11.Delivering intangible services remotely wherever possible; 12.Discouraging workers from using other workers’ phones, desks, offices, or other work tools and equipment; 13.Prohibiting handshaking and other unnecessary person-to-person contact in the workplace; 14.Placing notices that encourage hand hygiene at the entrance to the workplace and in other workplace areas where they are likely to be seen; 15.Suspending the use of personal identification number (PIN) pads, PIN entry devices, electronic signature capture, and any other credit card receipt signature requirements to the extent such suspension is permitted by agreements with credit card companies and credit agencies; 16.Enforcing social distancing of non-cohabitating persons while present on such entity’s leased or owned property; 17.For retailers and service providers, providing for alternative points of sale outside of buildings, including curbside pickup or delivery of products and/or services if an alternative point of sale is permitted under Georgia law; 18.Increasing physical space between workers’ worksites to at least six feet. 19.Providing disinfectant and sanitation products for workers to clean their workspace, equipment, and tools; People over the age of 65 and any citizens with underlying medical conditions are encouraged to stay home until May 13. The governor’s office is expected to release more guidelines as his reopening plan progresses.

COVID-19 Update

Published 4-30-2020 Upson County reported 206 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 17 deaths and 15 hospitalized at noon Tuesday, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health website, an increase of 27 from the 179 confirmed cases and increase of six from 11 deaths at noon Tuesday one week earlier. Upson’s infection rate was posted at 78.4 per 10,000 residents. Total number of positive cases among residents and staff at Harborview and Providence nursing homes increased from 98 to 123 during the same time period, with combined deaths up from 16 to 22 for the same period, according to Georgia’s Long-Term Care Facility COVID-19 Report from the Georgia Department of Community Health. The report shows Harborview with 25 resident cases (up one), 22 staff cases (up 15), and 13 resident deaths (up four). Providence reports 50 resident cases (up four), 26 staff cases (up five), and nine resident deaths (up two) from last week. Riverside Health & Rehabilitation has reported no positive cases. Georgia jumped to 24,551 (4,670 increase from same time last week) cases as of noon Tuesday, with 4,778 (up 999) hospitalized and 1,020 (up 221) deaths. Confirmed cases for counties bordering Upson were Meriwether with 52 (24.7 in 10k) and no deaths and eight hospitalized; Pike, 39 (20.7 in 10k) with 2 deaths and six hospitalized; Lamar, 35 (18.1 in 10k) with one death and six hospitalized; Monroe, 23 (8.3 in 10k) with one death and seven hospitalized; Talbot, 22 (35.7 in 10k) with one death and 11 hospitalized; Taylor, 17 (21.4 in 10k) with two deaths and eight hospitalized; and Crawford, 14 (11.4 in 10k) and no deaths with two hospitalized. The Centers for Disease Control now recommends the use of face masks to help slow the spread of COVID-19, especially where social distancing is difficult to maintain such as in grocery stores or pharmacies. The CDC stresses the use of masks in areas of significant community-based transmission. For accurate and reliable information about COVID-19, log on to https://dph.georgia.gov/novelcoronavirus or https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

Upson Regional Medical Center to Participate in COVID-19 Research Study

Published 4-28-2020 Upson Regional Medical Center is pleased to announce it has been approved for participation in a research study to help in the fight against COVID-19. The sponsor of this study is the Mayo Clinic, a not-for-profit academic medical center based in Rochester, Minnesota. Focus of this research is on the therapeutic value of convalescent plasma to treat severe cases of COVID-19 infection. Patients who have recovered from COVID-19 have developed antibodies in their blood that may be able to combat the virus. Using recovered patients as the donors, plasma with these antibodies is harvested and then given to patients suffering from active and severe COVID-19 virus. There are strict criteria that must be met for both donors and recipients of this plasma. Participation in the study allows Upson Regional Medical Center to requisition convalescent plasma through the American Red Cross—enough supply for each approved patient. Jeff Tarrant, Upson Regional Medical Center CEO, said, “We are proud to have been approved by the Mayo Clinic as a study site for this research project, and are anxious for our physicians and clinical staff to initiate this therapy for some of our patients. However, without donors, this research really doesn’t go anywhere. We need individuals who have conquered this disease to consider paying it forward by taking a small amount of time to work with the Red Cross and donate plasma.” Eligible donors must have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and recovered. Donors cannot still be experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, and at least 14 days must have passed since they were first diagnosed. Testing to assure that donors are free of active COVID-19 infection will be performed. Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health, and feel well. The Red Cross has some additional criteria for donors, but these are the main eligibility requirements.Upson Regional Medical Center physician Dr. Alexander Smolensky stated, “We are proud to be participating with several major academic medical centers in this project. While we do not yet know what the research will show, convalescent plasma transfusions may help some of our sicker patients recover. But there is a shortage of plasma that contains these precious antibodies. We urge anyone in the area who has beaten COVID-19 to consider donation. Your gift of plasma could help others beat this as well.”Interested donors should reach out to the American Red Cross at www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/dlp/plasma-donations-from-recovered-covid-19-patients.html to complete the donor eligibility form. The American Red Cross is now testing recovered donors for COVID-19 antibodies and can accept convalescent plasma donations from antibody positive donors. Call The American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767 for more information

COVID-19 Update, Governor Announces Reopening

Updated Data Friday 4-24-2020: Upson County reported 193 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 14 deaths at noon Friday, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health websitePublished 4-23-2020: Upson County reported 179 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 11 deaths at noon Tuesday, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health website, an increase of 55 from the 124 confirmed cases and increase of eight from three deaths at noon Tuesday one week earlier. Total number of positive cases among residents and staff at Harborview and Providence nursing homes increased from 91 to 98 since The Upson Beacon broke the story online last Friday, with combined deaths up from 11 to 16 for the same period, according to Georgia’s Long-Term Care Facility COVID-19 Report from the Georgia Department of Community Health. The report shows Harborview with 24 resident cases (up one), seven staff cases (up two), and nine deaths (up one). Providence reports 46 resident cases (no increase), 21 staff cases (up four), and seven deaths (up four) from the original report Friday. Riverside Health & Rehabilitation has reported no positive cases. Georgia jumped to 19,881 cases as of noon Tuesday, with 3,779 (19.01 percent) hospitalized and 799 (4.02 percent) deaths. Confirmed cases for counties bordering Upson were Meriwether with 47; Pike, 34 with 2 deaths; Lamar, 29; Talbot, 20 with one death; Monroe, 15 with one death; Crawford, 14; and Taylor, 13 with two deaths.Governor Announces Reopening Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp announced a statewide plan Monday afternoon that will allow for the reopening of certain businesses in stages, some starting as early as Friday. Included in the executive order: •Medical practices, dental practices, orthodontics practices, optometry practices, physical therapists, ambulatory surgical centers, physicians performing elective surgeries, healthcare institutions, medical facilities and any and all other healthcare-related practices and services that have ceased operations should begin treating patients in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service guidelines and provisions of the executive order. •April 24 – All gyms, fitness centers, bowling alleys, body art studios, estheticians, hair designers, and massage therapists may begin in-person minimum basic operations as defined by the executive order. Additionally, in his remarks Kemp said: •April 27 - Subject to social distancing and sanitation mandates, theaters, private social clubs, and restaurant dine-in services will be allowed to reopen. •Bars, nightclubs, operators of amusement park rides, and live performance venues will remain closed. •The shelter in place order is still active and will expire on April 30 at 11:59 p.m. •Medically fragile and elderly Georgians should shelter in place at least through May 13. •For places of worship, holding in-person services is allowed, but under Phase One guidelines, it must be done in accordance with strict social distancing protocols. “Based on [Gov. Kemp’s] order, the county will not make any changes to the existing modified operating protocols in advance of April 30,” County Manager Jason Tinsley told The Beacon. “County leadership pays close attention to the governor’s guidance. We are continuously evaluating our current status to ensure we remain in compliance with state mandates.” The Centers for Disease Control now recommends the use of face masks to help slow the spread of COVID-19, especially where social distancing is difficult to maintain such as in grocery stores or pharmacies. The CDC stresses the use of masks in areas of significant community-based transmission. For accurate and reliable information about COVID-19, log on to https://dph.georgia.gov/novelcoronavirus or https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

Tornado Damage Victims Need Help

Published 4-23-2020 For the Federal Emergency Management Agency to declare a disaster, statewide damage must meet or exceed $14 million. Although damage was excessive in Upson, Bartow and Murray Counties, collectively the three counties fell short of the necessary amount for federal disaster relief funds. Upson’s damage is widespread and extensive, and local residents affected by the tornado need help. A “Disaster Relief Account for Upson County Tornado Victims” has been established by the Upson County Ministerial Association. Anyone wishing to donate, please make checks payable to The Upson Ministerial Association, Tornado Disaster Relief and earmark the donation “for Upson County tornado victims.” Cash and checks will be accepted. Donations may be mailed to Fellowship Baptist Church, 1165 Hannah's Mill Road, or may be delivered to the church Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Please contact the church at 706-647-5814 with any questions. For those who remain in need of assistance and for those who wish to help, please call 404-535-4490.

A Community That Cares

Published 4-23-2020 With a recent tornado tearing through Upson County, many are left with the remnants of chaos and destruction. Volunteers have been hard at work participating in the tornado efforts and last Saturday, many came together in groups to clean. Upson County Emergency Management Agency was present at the Upson County Road Department to dispatch volunteers to various sites. Interim District Attorney Marie Broder and her staff were present and grilled hamburgers for all volunteers. Representatives of the Salvation Army distributed Chick-Fil-A sandwiches.

COVID-19 Outbreak at Harborview & Providence

Officials from the Georgia Department of Public Health fully dressed in PPE before testing at Providence.

Harborview Health Systems of Thomaston was also tested by officials from the Georgia Department of Public Health.

4-17-2020 A combined total of 91 positive COVID-19 cases and 11 deaths have occurred among residents and staff at two Upson County nursing homes as of 2 p.m. on April 16, according to Georgia’s Long-Term Care Facility COVID-19 Report from the Georgia Department of Community Health. The report shows COVID-19 cases in licensed nursing homes, assisted living communities and personal care homes of 25 beds or more based on data reported by the facilities to the Georgia Department of Community Health. The breakdown is as follows:Harborview Health Systems Thomaston310 Avenue F, Thomaston •96 total residents•23 positive resident cases (24% infection rate) with eight (8) deaths•Five (5) positive cases among staffProvidence Healthcare of Thomaston 1011 South Green Street, Thomaston•84 total residents•46 positive resident cases (54.8% infection rate) with three (3) deaths•17 positive cases among staff Currently there is no report available for how many tests were performed or how many tests are pending at either facility. According to the Department of Public Health’s daily status report, Upson County’s total for the corresponding time period, as of April 16, was 143 cases with six deaths. The Beacon will update the number of cases in both facilities as soon as information becomes available.

And They All Survived...

One Upson County home, now called “The Toto House,” was lifted and moved 60 yards onto Highway 74 East. The Georgia Department of Transportation engineered removal of the house, and Rock Hill Fire Department assisted with cleanup of the roadway, according to reports.

Shown is an aerial view of the
McDaniel home after the tornado.

Published 4-16-2020By Bridge Turner A tornado with wind speeds as high as 150 miles per hour ravaged portions of Upson County early Monday, destroying seven homes and damaging at least 58 more, according to reports from local Emergency Management Agency officials. No injuries were reported by area EMA Director Martha Anne McCarty. “We are very blessed,” McCarty said Tuesday. “If the path had been as much as a quarter of a mile north of where it was, there would have been catastrophic damage and certainly loss of life.” Tornadoes and severe thunderstorms reportedly claimed eight lives in Georgia. The EF3 twister entered the eastern portion of Upson from Talbot County shortly after 2 a.m. Monday and remained on the ground cutting an 11-mile long, half-mile wide path which included the Highway 74 East and Trinity Road Community areas. Lincoln Park escaped major damage, but the tornado jumped Highway 19 South and ripped through Raintree Golf Course. Weather service radar identified debris as high as 22,000 feet in the air, according to local officials. One house on Highway 74 East was picked up and moved approximately 60 yards onto the roadway, remaining largely intact. Residents, alerted of the impending storm, were not home at the time. The Georgia Department of Transportation removed the house to clear the highway for traffic. “True, we have significant damage to a wide area,” McCarty noted. “The tornado track was from the southwest side of the county all the way to Lamar County, about 18 miles. For that track, we have over 200 residents’ structures damaged.” Anyone needing assistance with tornado damage cleanup, and anyone wishing to volunteer for the cleanup effort, is asked to call 404-535-2877. “Volunteers can report to the forward operations command post at the Upson County Road Department [on Highway 74 East],” McCarty said. “Come prepared to work with gloves, sturdy shoes, long pants, eye protection and, oh yes, a face mask. COVID-19 precautions must still be taken.” Property owners needing tarps to cover exposed roofs and buildings should submit a request by email to the county at ema@upsoncountyga.org.

COVID-19 Cases Hit Triple DigitsThree Deaths Reported

Published 4-16-2020 Upson County reported 124 confirmed COVID-19 cases with three deaths at noon Tuesday, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health website, an increase of 96 from the 28 confirmed cases and no deaths at noon Tuesday one week earlier. Georgia jumped to 14,223 cases as of noon Tuesday, with 2,769 (19.47 percent) hospitalized and 501 (3.52 percent) deaths. Both percentages show slight decreases. Confirmed cases for counties bordering Upson were Meriwether with 24; Lamar, 20; Pike, 20; Monroe, 13 with one death; Talbot, 10 with one death; Taylor, nine with two deaths; and Crawford, eight. Meriwether, Lamar, Pike and Crawford reported no deaths as of noon Tuesday. The entire state remains under a “stay at home” order signed by Gov. Brian Kemp, and county officials have extended Upson’s shelter in place modified operating plan through April 30.

Coronavirus at 2 Nursing Homes

Published 4-16-2020 The Upson Beacon confirmed last week that positive cases of COVID-19 existed at two local nursing homes, and Georgia National Guard infection control teams were dispatched to disinfect at least one facility. Reportedly, Harborview and Providence Healthcare of Thomaston have cases among both residents and healthcare providers, and at least one requested assistance from the Georgia Department of Public Health and Upson Emergency Management Agency. The number of resident cases had not been released as of April 14, and employee information is confidential. Photos were obtained of Georgia Guardsmen conducting activities at Providence. The Beacon contacted administrators at both facilities and received no comment from Harborview officials. Providence administrator Tom Williams issued a statement acknowledging confirmed resident cases, but declined sharing further information, citing patient privacy laws. “Our staff and residents are following preventative actions as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services,” Williams included in his statement. “We are restricting visitors from entering our facility and cancelling all group activities and communal dining within the building until the virus has been eradicated. We are also actively screening residents and staff for respiratory symptoms.” Williams’ complete statement can be found on the Beacon website and Facebook page.

Expanded Testing For COVID-19 In GeorgiaRevised Testing Criteria and Increased Number of Test Site

Published 4-16-2020The Georgia Department of Public Health(DPH) is increasing the number of specimen collection sites statewide for COVID-19 testing, and is revising the current testing criteria to accommodate more testing of Georgia residents. Effective immediately, all symptomatic individualswill be eligible for COVID-19 testing. Health care workers, first responders, law enforcement and long-term care facility residents and staff will still be prioritized for testing regardless of whether they are or are not symptomatic. View the above documents for further information.

Upson Spikes to 51 COVID-19 Cases, One DeathStay in place continues

Published 4-9-2020, updated 4-11-2020 Upson County reported 51 confirmed COVID-19 cases with one death at noon Saturday, April 11, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health website, an increase from the five confirmed cases reported last Tuesday, March 31. Georgia jumped to 12,159 cases as of noon Saturday, with 2479 (20.39 percent) hospitalized and 428 (3.52 percent) deaths. Confirmed cases for counties bordering Upson were Meriwether with 22; Lamar, 15; Monroe, 12; Pike, 15; Talbot, nine; Taylor, seven; and Crawford, three. Monroe, Talbot and Taylor each reported deaths as of noon Saturday: Monroe with one, Talbot with one and Taylor with 2. The entire state remains under a “stay at home” order signed by Gov. Brian Kemp last week. The following story by Jeff Amy and Russ Bynum is, in part, reprinted from Associated Press information located on the U.S. News & World Report website: Georgia’s governor published his order telling people to stay at home Thursday as known coronavirus infections in the state rose past 5,400 and officials blamed the virus for record-shattering unemployment claims. Gov. Brian Kemp's order took effect at 6 p.m. Friday and will last through at least April 13. It came after days of pressure from local officials and widespread criticism of Kemp's claimed rationale that he was acting because federal officials had just confirmed that the virus is being spread by seemingly healthy people who are infected but have no symptoms such as fever or cough. The sobering new figures on the pandemic’s toll in Georgia came just a month after Kemp announced the state’s first confirmed infections March 2. At least 176 deaths in Georgia have been linked to the new virus, the state Department of Public Health reported. And more than 1,100 have been hospitalized since Kemp announced March 2 that officials had confirmed Georgia’s first two coronavirus infections. Kemp's order supersedes all local orders issued earlier, providing uniformity that many local officials sought. The state police and Georgia National Guard are among the agencies to provide resources to enforce the order. Violations are misdemeanors and officials are “supposed to take reasonable steps” before arresting anyone or writing a ticket. “When Georgians listen to the guidance provided and follow the orders issued, they are actively joining the fight against this deadly disease,” Kemp told reporters as he announced the decision Wednesday. The order says people must stay home unless they are providing or receiving food, household supplies, medical supplies or services, sanitation, safety services or essential home maintenance. It also says people can exercise outside as long as they stay six feet apart, but they're not supposed to have visitors A wide range of critical infrastructure businesses as designated by the federal government can stay open, including laundromats, dry cleaners, home construction, hardware stores, defense plants, banks, sawmills and news outlets. The measure limits nonessential businesses to the “necessary activities to maintain the value” of the business, but says they can stay open to the public subject to those restrictions. Both essential and nonessential businesses are directed to screen workers for signs of illness, implement teleworking and staggered shifts for all possible workers, and increase the distance between work stations to at least six feet. It closes all dine-in restaurants, bars, gyms, movie theaters and other entertainment venues. However, the sale of guns and ammunition is expressly allowed to continue, as is food for takeout and delivery. The measure does not expressly bar attendance at worship services, although Kemp spokesman Cody Hall said they would have to follow the same strictures regarding distancing and health checks as any business. Meanwhile, unemployment claims processed in Georgia during the last full week of March rose to nearly 134,000, an increase more than 10 times greater than the number filed the week before. The Georgia Department of Labor said Thursday the staggering number set a new record for the most claims ever processed in one week.The previous record was more than 41,000 in January 2009. Kemp had resisted following other states ordering residents to stay home, preferring to leave the decision to local governments. The governor had also said he was concerned far-reaching shutdown orders could inflict more damage to Georgia's already suffering economy. Kemp said [a week ago] Wednesday that "individuals could have been infecting people before they ever felt bad.” …Experts have been warning for at least two months that infected people can spread the coronavirus even if they have no symptoms. However, new research on asymptomatic transmission of the virus caused the federal government to change how it defines the risk of infection to Americans on Wednesday. The new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says anyone exposed to the disease can be a carrier.

Mask Makers: Protecting the Community

Shown above is a completed bundle of masks, sewn by Jessica Danehower.

Pictured above is an example of adaptive devices which attach to the back of masks to ease tension and rubbing around the ears and face. Local participants are now sewing these devices in addition to masks.

Published 4-9-2020By Luke Haney In the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak, face masks and various safety supplies have run short across the country. Locally, several people have stepped up to the plate to sew masks for essential workers in the community. According to the Centers of Disease Control, cloth face coverings can help slow the spread of COVID-19. Many women in the community, as well as surrounding counties, have begun creating different types of masks for various essential workers. Thomaston Fire Department, Upson volunteer fire departments, Upson County Sheriff’s Office, Thomaston Police Department, All department of Upson Regional Medical Center, doctors offices and every local nursing home have been provided with protective face masks. Masks, like the ones Stacye DeLoach has been sewing, are to be used as covers for the n95 masks. The purpose of the covers is to protect the n95 masks, which are in high demand and hard to obtain. Another form of masks being made in the community are cone-shaped and have an opening for removable filters. These are used as a stand-alone mask. Deirdra Carpenter says that Stacye DeLoach was the inspiration behind the Mask Makers. She said “[We] decided to form a group to help make masks for local healthcare providers, first responders and it’s turned into something so amazing, now they are working on any essential businesses that may be in need that requests a masks.” “They started off getting material from Stacye, who made more than 400 masks herself,” stated a member of the Mask Makers. “Deirdre has made more than 350. [The group members] all contribute something to help them make sure everyone who needs a mask gets one.” Sewers contributing to the project include Pam Hill, Chrystie Pitts, Stacye DeLoach, Deirdre Cochran, Michelle Thigpen, Debbie Legg, Robyn Johnson, Martha Butler, Martha Anne McCarty, Wendy Ferguson, Leslie Hockman, Denise Sanford, Jessica Russell, Chasity Gross, Merrill Roan, Michelle Anne Goode, Mandi Hadley, Kristin Musselwhite, Peggy Perry, Ashley Johnson, Terry Anderson, Susan Reddick, Jessica Danehower, Kim Martin, Laura Wainwright, Melissa Kent, Becky Berry, Michelle Goode and more. They have collectively given away hundreds of masks to law enforcement, medical staff and essential workers. Contact any of the contributors on facebook for more information. Thomaston Mills donated thousands of yards of elastic and fabric, as well as fabric filters. Woody Heath also donated two bolts of fabric to the project. According to the CDC, “cloth face masks should fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face, be secured with ties or ear loops, include multiple layers of fabric, allow for breathing without restriction and be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape.” Find more information about the effectiveness of face masks and how to create your own at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html.

Positive COVID-19 Cases at Two Nursing Homes in Upson County

Published 4-9-2020 The Upson Beacon confirmed Wednesday that there are positive cases of COVID-19 among healthcare providers and residents at two local nursing homes in Upson County, Providence Healthcare of Thomaston and Harborview Thomaston. There are also suspected cases with results pending.Reportedly, both facilities have resident cases and at least one has requested assistance from the Georgia Department of Public Health and Upson Emergency Management Agency, who are engaged and assisting. The number of resident cases has not been released as of April 9. Healthcare providers are employees, and that information will be kept confidential.The Beacon contacted administrators at Providence and Harborview. Charlene Wright, Harborview’s administrator, declined comment. Providence Healthcare’s administrator Tom Williams issued the following statement:“At Providence Healthcare resident safety is a top priority. This virus is especially dangerous to our population – older adults with underlying health conditions – so this is a critical issue that requires our immediate attention. We value the care we provide to all our residents and are doing everything we can to ensure we stop the spread of this within our facility. “We currently have confirmed positive COVID-19 resident cases and are in very close communication with local and state health officials to ensure we are taking the appropriate steps at this time. “Our staff and residents are following preventative actions as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS). We are restricting visitors from entering our facility and cancelling all group activities and communal dining within the building until the virus has been eradicated. We are also actively screening residents and staff for respiratory symptoms. “Due to patient privacy laws, we are unable to share any further specific information about the confirmed case(s) in our facility, but we have notified their immediate family members/guardians. “Our staff and residents truly appreciate the support and prayers of local community during this pandemic. We remain steadfast in our mission to ensure the safety and happiness of those we serve as we battle the spread of COVID-19.”Sincerely,Tom Williams, AdministratorProvidence Healthcare of ThomastonThe Beacon will update this information as it becomes available.

Statewide Shelter in Place Handout

Published 4-2-2020Governor Kemp’s Executive Order if effective starting at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 3, 2020 through 11:59 p.m. Monday, April 13, 2020. Press the above link to see the full Statewide Shelter in Place Handout.

Published 4-2-2020By Bridge Turner Mayor J.D. Stallings, with the support of the Thomaston City Council, signed a resolution and accompanying ordinance Friday, March 27 declaring a local state of emergency, citing potential health risks associated with the COVID-19 virus. The decision followed a called meeting of city officials in which council members were seated six feet apart on the stage of the auditorium adjacent to the Government Complex. Earlier that day, the Upson Beacon received information that the first case of coronavirus had been confirmed in Upson County. As of noon Tuesday, the number of cases had risen to five. “I want to set the tone by saying that I really, really, strongly believe, as everybody has said, it’s going to get worse before it gets better,” Mayor Pro-tem Doug Head said. “I had a conversation with Jeff Tarrant, CEO of the hospital, and… heard him say, ‘I would ask that if you’re going to do something, don’t wait’.”Head reminded council members that Gov. Brian Kemp said, “It’s all in the people’s hands,” referring to precautions including “social distancing,” and expressed his belief that local action is necessary in addition to supporting federal and state mandates. “Atlanta critical care units are pretty much full now,” Head stated. “So what’s going to happen is they’re going to begin to look for secondary locations to put those people, and we’re on that list... It’s not just people in Upson County… We should do what we can to raise the level of awareness.” In addition to supporting recommendations and mandates from the federal and state governments, the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control deemed “vital to the health of the nation,” city officials added the following: “The city council hereby declares a public health state of emergency within the city… which will remain in force and effect until April 6… unless extended by further action of mayor and city council. Unless otherwise specified in this ordinance, the provisions of this ordinance shall remain in full force and effect for the duration of the declared emergency. “…there shall be no public gatherings (the organized gathering or assembly of 10 or more persons at a specific location) on any property owned or controlled by the city (any park, public square, public space, playground, recreational area, or similar place of public gathering)… but nothing herein shall prohibit individuals or families from using sidewalks or designated pedestrian areas of parks for walking or other exercise if they are not participating in an organized gathering. “Restaurants and other eating and dining establishments where food is served must cease offering dine-in services but may continue preparing and offering food to customers via delivery, drive-thru or takeout services… if a restaurant is licensed to sell beer and wine for on-premise consumption, such restaurant, during the effective dates of this ordinance only, shall be authorized to sell unopened bottles or cans of beer or wine for takeout consumption off premises. “All other establishments… such as grocery stores, pharmacies and other businesses which remain open during the emergency must post signage on entrance doors informing consumers to maintain at least six feet of personal distance between themselves and others and shall not allow more than 10 people into such establishment at any one time if such social distancing cannot be maintained. “All public and private gatherings of more than 10 people occurring outside of a household or living unit are prohibited. Nothing in this ordinance, however, prohibits the gathering of individuals for the purposes of carrying on business certified as ‘essential’ by the Georgia Emergency Management Agency pursuant to O.C.G.A. 38-3-58 or designated by the governor as ‘critical infrastructure’ or the provision of medical or health services. “All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with the provisions of this declaration are hereby suspended during the effective dates of this declaration (or any extension thereof) and the terms and provisions of this declaration shall prevail.” Thomaston Police Chief Mike Richardson told council members he was not opposed to the ordinance, but could not guarantee how efficiently it would be enforced. “The hope and goal are that the majority of people will comply without having enforcement,” Richardson said. “I have no objection to you passing this ordinance. I just want to be on the record [saying] I don’t want there to be any false expectations from you on our ability to enforce it. “I will, to the best of my ability, enforce what you pass,” the chief concluded. “We’ll do the best we can.”

Heroes Are Everywhere When You’re On Your Own, They are there for you

Published 4-2-2020 With “non-essential” employees being told to stay home, many workers are asked to keep things running smoothly. A congregation of vehicles gathered in the lower parking lot at Upson Regional Medical Center Monday night to flash lights and play uplifting music to honor URMC staff who are working harder each day to manage the COVID-19 threat. Parking lot gatherings were planned for the entire week, and will continue from 6:45 to 7 p.m. through Friday. Participants are asked to be parked in the lot by 6:40 pm. and tune all radios to Fun 101.1 FM. After seeing more than 100 cars participating the first night, URMC CEO Jeff Tarrant commented, “It was very moving.” With lights flashing and music blaring, many children held signs and waved out vehicle windows to acknowledge health care workers. Photos of local heroes are featured across the top of most pages of the 4-2-2020 edition of The Upson Beacon to highlight those who continue to work each day to provide a safe, well-functioning community.

COVID-19 Updated Published 3-26-2020 in The Upson Beacon

URMC Announces COVID-19 Safety Measures Upson Regional Medical Center is taking the proper steps to keep patients, visitors, staff and community safe.Visitor restrictions were recently updated to limit visitors to one family member or support person per patient. Public entrances have been reduced to two. The main entrance allows access for the public and employees from 6 a.m.-5 p.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m.-5 p.m. on weekends. The rear or café entrance is for employee badge access only.The emergency room entrance is available 24/7, but visitors are encouraged to use the main entrance when possible. Physical therapy patients are still able to utilize the physical therapy entrance directly, but will have no access to the main hospital from this entrance. All individuals entering the hospital are being screened for exposure history, symptoms and temperature. Upson’s physician clinics have also implemented screening measures to help reduce the risk of exposure to the COVID-19 virus. Hospital leadership is closely monitoring supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) on a real time basis, and holds a huddle at the start of each day to discuss federal, state, and local status and to prioritize needs. Some short-term wins on the horizon include availability of virtual primary care physician office visits which will enable patients to consult with local physicians from the comfort of their own homes, as well as local capabilities for COVID-19 testing. Information regarding the virtual primary care visits is expected to be available by the end of this week. Technology and approval to begin local testing for COVID-19 in the Upson laboratory is expected in April. People are encouraged to practice good handwashing techniques and abide by recommendations for eliminating group activities and social distancing. “Experts tell us the only way to stop the spread at this time is to eliminate the ability of this virus to move from person to person,” said URMC CEO Jeff Tarrant. “Georgia has not yet issued a stay at home order other than for certain groups of people. But on behalf of the hundreds of dedicated healthcare heroes at Upson - folks who leave the safety of their homes and report to work each day simply to take care of those in need - we ask you to please stay home if you can. The work done by our staff and all in healthcare professions is remarkable. We look forward to the day we can all take a deep breath, celebrate, and honor these heroes for the gifts they give to all of us.” For real-time, up-to-date information on the latest news from Upson Regional Medical Center, visit www.urmc.org/covid-19-updates.Sprewell Bluff Access Limited, Other Parks Closed to PublicTax & Tag Office Extends Closure through April 10 Upson County Government has announced the closure of the civic center and all county parks through April 6, with the exception of Sprewell Bluff Park, which will remain open with limited access. Visit upsoncountyga.org/Facebook for up-to-date information on all county parks and recreation programs and facilities.Upson County Tax Commissioner Andy Chastain has announced that the tax and tag office will remain closed to the public through April 10, possibly longer, until it is determined safe to open. Staff is available to handle all transactions by phone, and to issue temporary operating permits for 30 days and renew tags which will be mailed to the customer same day. The permit automatically updates in the state system at time of transaction to show the permit is valid, even though not yet on the vehicle. The same is true for any decal renewed by phone or online. The public is encouraged to call the office at 706-647-8931 or to use online services for tag renewal or property tax payments. Also, during this time, all debit/credit card transactions by phone are not charged a convenience fee. “Despite the hardships the COVID-19 outbreak has caused for our customers, this is only temporary,” Chastain said. “We look forward to helping our customers the best we can until we open for business as usual.”Ingles, Walmart Offering ‘Senior Only’ Shopping Ingles and Walmart have announced dedicated shopping hours for seniors and residents with compromised immune systems. Walmart “senior times” are from 6-7 a.m. every Tuesday through April 28, and Ingles’ dedicated hours are 7-8 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays until further notice. “At Ingles, we care deeply about the communities we serve and believe that by working together, we can all assist in helping others in our community as the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve,” according to a company statement. “One of the ways we can all help is by making the shopping experience safer for those that are most vulnerable at this time.” “We ask that other customers try to avoid shopping during the hour, so our seniors can shop in a less crowded environment,” Ingles officials said. “Thank you for your consideration and thank you for shopping Ingles.”Ingles store hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. For the latest updates, visit www.ingles-markets.com/covid19. “To better support customers age 60 and up, our stores will host a special shopping hour from 6-7 a.m. through April 28,” according to a Walmart press release. “It will start one hour before stores open to the public, and pharmacies will be available during this time as well.” Vision centers will also be open to help with emergency and essential needs only, according to Walmart personnel.

Mayor Updates City Action amid Virus Concerns

Published 3-26-2020 City government offices are closed to the general public and will remain accessible by appointment only through the end of March, according to a recent press release. Staff is available by telephone or email to address any questions or provide information concerning the provision of municipal services. Citizens are urged to contact City Hall to schedule appointments, if necessary, and additional information will be released as applicable. Regarding city utilities, customers should continue to abide by all the policies and procedures of the city regarding service. Payments will continue to be received by mail and at the city drop box located near the drive-thru at 106 East Lee Street. In addition, online payments may be made at https://thomastonga.governmentwindow.com/payer_login.html. Effective through the end of March, the city will waive the transaction fee associated with use of the online service. Anyone with questions about accounts should contact customer service at 706-647-6633. “Please be assured the city will continue to provide municipal services, including but not limited to, police protection, fire protection, public works, water and sewer treatment and distribution, electrical services, and sanitation,” according to Mayor J.D. Stallings’ statement. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to our city’s wellbeing and safety,” he continued. “Your cooperation and support are appreciated as we make decisions based on what is in the best interest of everyone within the community. The city will continue to communicate our ongoing efforts regarding COVID-19.” For further information regarding prevention, please visit https://dph.georgia.gov/.See the mayor’s open letter to Thomaston residents, Page 3 of the print edition of The Upson Beacon.

Governor Orders Statewide Closure of Bars

Published 3-26-2020 Gov. Brian Kemp has ordered the closure of bars and nightclubs through April 6 as part of the state’s effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19, according to an announcement Monday. Gatherings of more than 10 people, unless the people can be kept six feet apart, also are banned. The Georgia Department of Public Health will be authorized to close any business for noncompliance. Kemp will work with the Department of Public Health to issue an executive order to require sheltering in place or quarantining for high-risk populations. Included are those who live in long-term care facilities, have chronic lung disease, are undergoing cancer treatment, or have a positive COVID-19 test, are assumed to have it, or have been exposed. To address a shortage of health care workers, graduate nurses who have not yet taken their nursing exams will be able to seek a temporary license through the Georgia Board of Nursing, Kemp said. In March and April, about one million Georgians who receive SNAP benefits will receive an additional $100 in benefits. The average monthly SNAP benefit for a Georgia household is $225 and the program has seen an influx of applicants, according to Kemp.

Coronavirus COVID-19 Local Closures & UpdatesPublished 3-19-2020

Health Concerns Push Presidential Preference Primary to May 19 Amid concerns for safety of poll workers and the public at large, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger announced Saturday that the Presidential Preference Primary Election would be postponed and would coincide with the State Primary Election to be held May 19. All ballots that have been cast during advance voting and all absentee mail ballots that are returned will be counted on May 19. More information will be posted on election websites as information becomes available.

COVID-19 INFORMATION & PREPAREDNESS In an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Thomaston-Upson County Schools have closed until March 31 and City of Thomaston and Upson County offices are limiting services and personnel. District 4 public health officials for Upson, along with Butts, Carroll, Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Henry, Lamar, Meriwether, Pike, Spalding and Troup counties, reported 13 confirmed cases of Covid-19, or coronavirus, in its service area as of noon Tuesday. Counties reporting confirmed cases include Coweta (3), Fayette (5), Henry (2), Lamar (1) and Troup (2). Georgia Department of Public Health’s website is updated daily at noon. According to Upson Emergency Management Director Martha Anne McCarty, “The State of Georgia has a new COVID-19 hotline. Please DO NOT show up unannounced at an emergency room or health care facility. If you believe that you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed to the novel coronavirus, please contact your primary care doctor, an urgent care clinic, or your local federally qualified health care center. Hotline: (844) 442-2681. Again, please DO NOT show up unannounced at an emergency room or health care facility.”

LOCAL INFORMATION

*The Thomaston-Upson Board of Education released updated information on 3-20-2020*"Hello, UL students and families.I want to thank you for your hard work, patience, and flexibility as we complete our first full week of mandated school closures and home learning. I know there have been challenges and that obstacles remain, but we are all working together to support our students and our community! You have been amazing, and I truly appreciate your efforts! Below, you will find important information updates:Closure dates:Governor Kemp has mandated that all Georgia schools close through the end of this month. Our Spring Break is scheduled for April 6-10, 2020. In consultation with the TU Board of Education, we have made the decision not to return to school April 1-3 (the 3 days prior to Spring Break). Therefore, Thomaston-Upson Schools will remain closed through April 12. While our anticipated return date is Monday, April 13, this date is still subject to change in the event of additional state or federal mandates.Spring Break:No instruction or meal distribution will take place during Spring Break, April 6-10. Please carefully consider your actions during this break and continue to follow any DPH and CDC guidelines designed to keep you and your families safe.School Meals & Curriculum Distribution:Approximately 1100 children and youth received meals during week 1 of the school closure. We anticipate that even more may come out for week 2. In an effort to protect the health and well-being of those staff members assisting with meal distribution, all sites will be made drive-through only, UNLESS the student has no transportation and must walk to the site. Walkers will be encouraged to “grab and go” in order to protect themselves and others. Paper copies of the week’s curriculum packet will be distributed at all sites. The Thomaston Police Dept. will provide assistance for traffic control/direction at The Greatest Generation Park. Our next meal distribution will be Tuesday, March 24, from 11:30 AM – 1 PM WHILE SUPPLIES LAST.REMINDER:The student or students must be present in order to receive the meal package. (Limit 1 meal package per child)District and school administrators continue to meet and discuss ways to provide for the needs of our students during this time. As we receive new information and make decisions, we will keep you up to date and informed.I know that some of you will have questions about items not addressed in this information. In some cases, decisions cannot yet be made due to uncertainty of the spread of COVID-19 within the U.S. We are taking the situation one day at a time. This pandemic is something that none of us ever expected to face, and we are navigating the unknown together. Please know that we are here to support you in any possible way. If you have questions or concerns, please contact your teacher or school principal. We will get through this, and we will be stronger and more united in the end. May you and your families remain safe and well throughout this time."

Upson Offices:

Upson County Senior Center All events at the Thomaston-Upson Senior Center scheduled for the month of March will be rescheduled or cancelled. The facility WILL NOT offer meal service and will be closed to all members of the public. This closure was effective as of Wednesday, March 18. The Senior Center will continue to provide at-home meal delivery without interruption. Seniors may also arrange to pick up meals onsite. For questions please call 706-647-1607.

Thomaston-Upson County Civic Center All events scheduled for the remainder of March at the civic center will be rescheduled or cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns, according to a joint press release from the City of Thomaston and Upson County.

Upson County Clerk of Superior Court All jury trials have been cancelled and the Grand Jury has been postponed to May 4. Teresa Harper, clerk of Superior Court, said the clerk’s office will be open and all employees are working regular hours. You may contact the Clerk of Superior Court by phone at 706-538-2343 or visit www.upsoncountyga.org for specific department contacts and updates.

Upson County Magistrate Court Upson County Magistrate Court will offer basic essential civil service to include warrants, search warrants and first appearances as needed. The magistrate office will be open for call-in information and is asking everyone to limit walk-ins for their own protection, as well as the staff.

Upson County Probate Court Due to the state of emergency that we are currently under, the court systems of Georgia are also under a judicial emergency until April 13. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. §38-3-62, this judicial emergency limits what the probate court can do. The probate court staff will be in the office, but the public’s access will be extremely limited. The Upson County Probate office will not be performing non-essential functions during this judicial emergency time period. Essential functions would include: emergency or permanent guardianship/conservatorship petitions; orders to apprehend; jail cases - specifically to limit overpopulation of the jail; marriage licensing - only to those that have a marriage date set for the near future. Traffic cases that have been scheduled for court will be continued to a later date. Probate officials will send out notices to all those that have been previously scheduled for court. Any citations with dates scheduled to pay fines during this judicial emergency have been extended to May 4. Weapons carry license applications will not be processed during this judicial emergency. If the expiration date happens to fall during this judicial emergency, an extension date will be granted. Please call the probate office for specific questions about individual weapons carry licenses. The probate staff will be available to answer any questions over the phone. Please call with your inquiries rather than come to the office. Coming to the probate office in person will likely be a wasted trip as the probate staff will only be performing essential functions.

**Upson County Sheriff’s Office and Jail, updated 3/20/2020 IN RESPONSE TO THE ONGOING COVID-19 (CORONA VIRUS) PANDEMIC, THE UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE IS MAKING TEMPORARY CHANGES TO THE WAY WE RESPOND TO SOME NON-EMERGENCY CALLS, IN ORDER TO HELP SAFEGUARD THE HEALTH OF THE PUBLIC, AS WELL AS OUR STAFF. PLEASE DO NOT COME TO THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE TO FILE A REPORT. IF YOU NEED TO FILE A REPORT FOR AN INCIDENT THAT IS NOT IN PROGRESS, NON-EMERGENCY, OR DOES NOT REQUIRE THAT A DEPUTY MEET WITH YOU OR RECOVER EVIDENCE, PLEASE CALL OUR NON-EMERGENCY NUMBER, 706-646-7912, AND WE WILL HAVE A DEPUTY CONTACT YOU. AS ALWAYS, IF YOU HAVE AN EMERGENCY, PLEASE CALL 9-1-1. IF YOU NEED A COPY OF A REPORT, PLEASE CALL OUR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE AT 706-646-7902. WE WILL BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE COPIES BY MAIL. WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO PROVIDING PROMPT, PROFESSIONAL SERVICE THROUGHOUT THIS CRISIS. WE APPRECIATE YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE THIS MAY CAUSEUpson County Tax Commissioner’s Office The Upson County Tax Commissioner’s Office will be closed to the public and all walk-in customers during the 10-day period of March 18-27. Staff will continue to work handling all aspects of the office including telephone calls, mailings, online tag renewals, online tax payments, etc. Please call the office at 706-647-8931 for any issues. Payments in the form of check or money order for property taxes or tag renewals may be mailed to P.O. Box 409, Thomaston, GA 30286. Tag renewals and all tax receipts will be remitted by mail to taxpayer during this period. All taxpayers may conduct their business through on-line services. The DOR and this office offer a number of motor vehicle and tax-related services online, without the need of in-person interactions. Motor Vehicle: www.eservices.drives.ga.gov. Services available include tag renewals, duplicate registration, cancel registration, TAVT estimator, pay insurance fines. For title work: email title or bill of sale along with proof of insurance and driver’s license to: achastain@upsoncountyga.org to receive a 30-day temporary permit that will be mailed to the new owner. Contact office before temporary expires for further information. Any late penalties associated with tag renewals during this period will be waived. However, fines associated with insurance lapse CANNOT be waived. Fines associated with insurance lapse can be paid online. Property taxes: www.upsoncountyga.org/202/Office-of-the-Tax-Commissioner (pay property tax bill). Services include search and pay taxes, print property tax bill, and other general info. For further information: contact the Upson County Tax Commissioner’s Office at (phone) 706-647-8931, (fax) 706-647-5568 or (email) achastain@upsoncountyga.org.

City Offices:

Thomaston Police Department The Thomaston Police Department will have additional patrols in neighborhoods and businesses. The department office will operate under normal hours and offer full services.

Thomaston Fire Department The Thomaston Fire Department is limiting visitors to only pre-approved appointments and emergencies. No walk-in traffic will be allowed until further notice.

Thomaston Trash Pick-up Effective immediately, due to the recent changes relating to COVID-19 in our state, GFL, under the direction of the City of Thomaston, will suspend backdoor cart service until further notice for all residents in the City of Thomaston. All city residents are required to place their trash cans at the curb on the normal trash pickup day. Silvertown and Mill Village residents are required to place their trash carts at the back-alley curb. Services for disabled residents will resume as normal. If you have any questions, please call the City of Thomaston offices at (706) 647-6633 or (706) 647-4242 or contact the GFL at (706) 647-8490. This action is to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our area by eliminating cart swapping at houses, prevent contact with residents at their homes, and ensure timely trash pickup in the City of Thomaston.

***CITY UPDATE AS OF 3-20-2020CITY PARKS- Although the City of Thomaston’s parks are still open to the public during regular hours (all park facilities will close at dark), we urge all citizens to use the precautionary measures that have been handed down by the President of the United States. Specifically, we urge our citizens to avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people while visiting City Parks. While we try to keep our playground equipment safe, we cannot guarantee that it is always sanitary due to the volume of participants we have at our outside facilities. Be smart, and be safe.RESTAURANTS - The most recent correspondence received from the District Health Director - Georgia Department of Health, recommends facilities who decide to continue in house dining be strongly encouraged to remove at least half of their seats in an effort to limit the number of customers to ensure social distancing. It is strongly encouraged by health department officials that restaurants go to drive-thru, delivery, or outside service only. At this time, there is no local mandate on this restriction as this would put a strain on these businesses. We do ask that the general public help out by using these facilities in a safe and cautious manner, utilizing all appropriate safety precautions and guidelines.If we are to control this outbreak, we must all take some personal responsibility, practical accountability, and come together as a community with well-intentioned actions. We have all continuously heard the appropriate actions we should be doing like washing our hands and covering our faces when we sneeze or cough. Folks, this is something we should do all the time.CHURCHES/SOCIAL GATHERINGS - Limit yourselves to groups and gatherings of 10 or less. Churches, funeral services, social events, weddings, and other events should consider rescheduling, limiting numbers, or provide adequate safety measures in accordance with presidential suggested guidelines. In addition, the Governor has released the following statements:“It’s going to be the community that stops this,” “…And the way to do that is to adhere to the directives that are coming out of Washington, the CDC, Governor’s Office, and Georgia Department of Public Health.”“We’ve asked them (churches) when possible and practical to not hold [in-person] services, but to go online, now, if they’re dead-set on being together make sure their facilities are clean, people are spreading out in their seating, and they’re limiting their social interaction. If someone is feeling sick urge them to stay home. Call your doctor before going to their office or the emergency room.”We know these disruptions are going to be difficult for many of our local businesses. The Federal Government has passed and are passing several programs to help businesses and citizens during these times. We will share and help in any way to assist with these programs as more details are rolled out.The best advice you can give yourself now is to use common sense. If we all act as though you’ve tested positive for COVID-19, we can control the outbreak. Practice social distancing. If you can stay at home, stay at home as much as possible. If you must get out, just use common sense. Don’t look to Social Media posts from your Aunt Caren who knows a person whose third cousin works with someone that caught it. Trust creditable sites like the CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html , and the Georgia Department of Public Health, https://dph.georgia.gov/.We need to be cautious and act responsibly, but we also don’t need to go into full blown end of the world mass hysteria either. Prepare yourself by purchasing items that you need if you do become sick. Two thousand rolls of toilet paper, and a million bottles of water is not considered reasonable. Save some items for other people. We are a community and we should be looking out for each other. Also, we have a lot of older citizens in our community that may not have family or others that can check in on them. Be neighborly and call to see if they might could use a helping hand during these times.We understand some people may be worried about the situation because of the unknown. We know these are unprecedented times, and are trying to do everything to keep everyone safe. At the same time, we will continue in the provision of services that you expect from our city. Since everyone’s schedule has changed and many have more free time with all the cancelations and disruptions, the best thing for everyone to do is to spend more time in prayer. We should rely more on our Faith and listen to God not only during the difficult times, but all the time. If we do, we will know the best decisions in all matters of our lives.BE SMART- BE SAFEGod Bless our Community, Our Great State, and these United States of AmericaYOUR Mayor,John David “J.D.” StallingsHospital, Churches, Financial Institutions, Nursing Homes:

Upson Regional Medical Center The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging communities across the country to prepare for the possibility of coronavirus (COVID-19) becoming widespread. As the virus continues to spread, there will likely be more cases that occur close to home. Upson Regional Medical Center asks travel questions of every patient coming into the facility, and is paying close attention to the travel histories of patients who have been to an area where COVID-19 exists. “Upson Regional Medical Center is using the guidance of the CDC and the Georgia Department of Public Health to prepare our community. Our hospital is ready to take care of our residents and provide the best care possible as we face this challenge,” said Daniel McBride, director of infection prevention and occupational health. It's best to stay home if you are not well. If you feel you need medical attention, call your doctor or emergency care center for guidance. As always, if you have a true emergency, go to the nearest emergency care center. See the following links for further information on COVID-19:https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.htmlhttps://dph.georgia.gov/novelcoronavirus

Churches Several local churches will have services online and videos on Facebook. Please check with your church or house of worship for times and dates.

Financial Institutions Colony Bank’s lobby will be closed with the exception of pre-arranged appointments for loan closings. The drive-thru will be open for deposits, withdrawals and banking transactions. United Bank will operate under normal business hours, and both the lobby as well as drive-thru will be open. SouthCrest Bank will operate under normal business hours, and both the lobby and drive-thru will be open. West Central Georgia Bank will operate under normal business hours, and both the lobby and drive-thru will be open. People's Bank of Georgia will operate by appointment only during normal business hours.

Nursing Homes Local nursing homes - Harborview, Providence and Riverside - are all closed to visitors until further notice. West Village Retirement asks that family members limit their visits during this time.

Other Important Notices:

Chamber of Commerce Thomaston-Upson Chamber of Commerce office and welcome center will be closed until further notice. The annual Chamber Business Open golf tournament has been postponed, to be announced at a later date. Staff will answer phone calls and emails. To reach the chamber, please visit the website at thomastongachamber.com or call 706-647-9686.

Republican County Convention Notice All counties will hold their conventions this Saturday, March 21, to elect delegates and alternates to each congressional district and state convention. The county conventions cannot be cancelled and will take place on a pro forma basis, and we prefer that delegates not attend. Anyone wishing to be elected as a district or state delegate, please submit information by email to ------------. We require your name, address, email, telephone and birthdate. If you have any questions, please let us know. Please be aware that if you ask to be a delegate, you are expected to attend the convention you have signed up to attend, and there will be a fee for attending that is paid directly to the district or state, depending on which you choose to attend. All regular monthly meetings are cancelled until further notice.

Pine Mountain Regional Libraries All Pine Mountain Regional Libraries will be closed to the public until Wednesday, April 1. During this time, no late fees will accrue on currently checked out items. Digital resources like RbDigital and eRead Kids will not be affected and will remain available to use.

The Upson Beacon Limits Office Hours The Upson Beacon will join and support the effort to reduce potential COVID-19 viral spread by limiting office hours to 9 a.m.-noon Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, closed Wednesdays, through April 2. Submission and payments may be dropped through the mail slot of the door at 106 East Gordon Street 24 hours a day, and submissions may be emailed to dlord@upsonbeacon.com. Credit and debit card payments may be made by calling the office at 706-646-2382. Meanwhile, the Beacon staff will continue to update its readers and residents of Thomaston and Upson County with the most accurate and updated information possible concerning coronavirus and its impact on the community. Please visit The Upson Beacon Facebook page or upsonbeacon.com.

Commission Scrubs March 24th Meeting

Published 3-21-2020 Citing concerns surrounding the COVID-19 health risk, the Upson County Commission has cancelled its March 24 regular meeting, according to a press release from County Clerk Jessica Jones. The next regular meeting of the board is scheduled for April 14.

Published 3-19-2020 No charges were filed following a weekend shooting which left one man dead on Rose Hill Drive, according to a press release from the office of Upson County Sheriff Dan Kilgore. Deputies were dispatched to 55 Rose Hill Drive, Lot L7 shortly after 8 a.m. Sunday and found 31-year-old Jeremy Dawson lying on the ground with an apparent gunshot wound, the report stated. Another male identified as the shooter was also on the scene, and surrendered to law enforcement. Dawson was taken to Upson Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 9:14 a.m.An investigation conducted by Upson SO with the aid of acting District Attorney Marie Broder’s office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation revealed that Dawson created a disturbance Saturday night among his estranged wife and other visitors at the residence. Dawson returned Sunday morning and another confrontation ensued. “Dawson threw a knife at the male and aggressively approached the male after striking him with a baseball bat,” the report stated. “The male produced a handgun and fired one round, striking Dawson in the chest. The male secured the weapon in his vehicle and waited for law enforcement to arrive.” Witnesses on the scene confirmed the account of the incident. Dawson’s body has been sent to the GBI crime lab for autopsy, and the investigation is ongoing, Kilgore said. Around 1 a.m. the previous Saturday, deputies responded to 1209 Solomon Street in Thomaston, where they found a female with a stab wound to her left shoulder blade area inside the residence. Deputies administered first aid and the female was transported to URMC by ambulance. Demontarius R. Thompson, 27, of Thomaston was arrested and charged with aggravated assault for the stabbing. He remains in the Upson County Jail pending a $20,000 bond. Other arrests and charges reported by UCSO include: John Wesley Mitchem, sexual exploitation of children; Ann Hoard, aggravated assault; Alejandro Lopez, robbery (sudden snatching), robbery (against a person 65 years of age or older); Matthew Davis Lundy, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; Jarryl Lewis Smith, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; Jasmine Smith, possession of methamphetamine; Daniel Jamal Matthews, felony probation violation (possession of cocaine), felony failure to appear (possession of meth); Austin Nathaniel Ogletree, felony probation violation (entering vehicle), felony probation violation (criminal damage second degree); George Hammond Fuller, felony probation violation (possession of meth); Eden Johnson, felony failure to appear (possession of meth).

5 Pounds of Pot, Stolen Firearm Seized in Arrest

More than five pounds of marijuana, digital scales, narcotics, currency, stolen firearm and two magazines and ammunition were seized.

Published 3-19-2020 ​Officers with the Thomaston Police Department and deputies with the Upson County Sheriff’s Office assisted in an arrest last week that resulted in the seizure of more than five pounds of marijuana and a stolen pistol, according to a report from TPD Chief Mike Richardson. Both agencies assisted the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Squad apprehend a subject at 119 Avenue F in Thomaston. During the arrest, law enforcement discovered a large amount of suspected marijuana in glass jars on the living room floor, the report stated. The property was secured, and members of the Narcotics Task Force were notified to obtain a search warrant for the residence. Upon executing the search warrant, agents discovered and seized more than five pounds of marijuana, digital scales, packaging materials, assorted controlled narcotics in unidentified bottles, currency, and a stolen firearm with two magazines and ammunition. The pistol previously was reported stolen in Thomaston. In addition to the fugitive wanted by Clayton County being arrested, Khadijah White of 121 Avenue E in Thomaston was arrested and charged with illegal possession of controlled substances, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, and obstructing or hindering law enforcement officers. Terrell Tracy Terry and Joshua Bernard Brown, both of 119 Avenue F in Thomaston, are wanted in connection with the incident, according to the report. Further investigation and arrests are pending.

Tolen Sentenced to Serve 15 Years for Vehicular Homicide

Published 3-12-2020 Christopher Daryl Tolen of Macon entered a non-negotiated guilty plea last week and was sentenced to serve 15 years in prison by Judge Fletcher Sams in the March 2019 death of Upson County’s Sue Self Grubbs. Tolen lost control of his vehicle and struck Grubbs at her mailbox on Highway 74, according to Georgia State Patrol reports. He reportedly was under the influence of methamphetamine at the time of the incident. “Our hearts go out to the victim’s family in this case,” District Attorney Marie Broder said following the sentence. “Ms. Grubbs is greatly missed by all of those that loved her and were touched by her life.” Grubbs served as secretary for the Upson Historical Society for 13 years and is the sister of Thomaston surveyor Gary Self. The 15-year term to serve is the maximum sentence allowed.

Gordon State College Receives Largest Record GiftTrustee White Endows Scholarships, Lecture Series plus Fine and Performing Arts Series

Published 3-12-2020By Katheryne A. FieldsGordon State College Director of Marketing The Gordon State College Foundation recently received the largest donation in the history of the foundation, a landmark $255,000 gift from Gordon State College Foundation Board of Trustee member and donor Dan White, who has a long history with the college. The $255,000 landmark gift, announced during the monthly meeting of the GSC Foundation Board of Trustees, will be designated toward a combination of eight endowed scholarships, an endowed lecture series and an endowed fine and performing arts series. "Dan's leadership and contributions to this institution and community have been outstanding," said GSC President Kirk A. Nooks. "His generosity speaks to his desire to make a difference within this region. This investment will literally be a gift that keeps on giving. We arrived at this moment because of people who built an institution that means so much to so many. Future generations will benefit from this transformational legacy. That is truly the ‘Power of We!’.” White, from Yatesville, has family members who attend Gordon. His acquaintance to the institution is not new, and he has continuously been a generous supporter of the students, the fine and performing arts program and the history program at Gordon. He has been a GSC Foundation trustee since 2015. White is the co-founder and director of The Rural Library Project, Inc., a nonprofit organization working with rural municipalities to establish new and small libraries. He is also a partner in Passive Solar Design and Construction, Inc. “I have seen this institution grow to what it is today, an educational resource for our region,” White said. “The personal investment on my part into this institution is to help further its mission regionally and statewide. There are many ways to enhance the experience at Gordon, and I encourage others to invest in students whose access to college education is right here. My focus is students from rural areas. It is incredible to see the changes that have occurred here over my lifetime and realize what a treasure it is.” Montrese Adger Fuller, vice president of advancement, external relations and marketing and executive director of the Gordon State College Foundation, said, "This gift is transformational, and we appreciate the long lasting legacy that Dan White is leaving for the students and programs at Gordon for many years to come." This is the first fine and performing arts endowment at Gordon and is a timely response to a need for the program. “We are extremely grateful for the generosity of Mr. White’s gift,” said Dr. Ed Whitelock, department head for humanities and programs in fine and performing arts at Gordon. “We are helping students create experiences outside of the classroom that also benefit the arts in our service region.” The GSC Foundation reported $656,359 in annual giving contributions for 2018-2019, and the GSC Foundation Board achieved 100 percent participation in giving to the college for 2019.

URMC Prepares for Coronavirus Amid Concerns

Published 3-12-2020 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging communities across the United States to prepare for the possibility of coronavirus (COVID-19) becoming widespread. There currently are two cases in Georgia, each of which are in the metro Atlanta area. Both cases are not hospitalized and are recuperating at home. But as the virus continues to spread, there likely will be more cases that occur closer to home. Upson Regional Medical Center asks travel questions of every patient coming into the facility, and staff members are paying close attention to the travel histories of patients who have been to an area where COVID-19 is present, according to hospital officials. “Upson Regional Medical Center is using the guidance of the CDC and the Georgia Department of Public Health to prepare our community,” said Daniel McBride, director of infection prevention and occupational health. “Our hospital is ready to take care of our residents and provide the best care possible as we face this challenge.” Coronavirus presents much like many other respiratory illnesses, with main symptoms of coughing and fever. Sometimes body aches, headache, and diarrhea are also present. The virus can be more severe in certain populations, such as the elderly and those who are immune compromised. They are more prone to developing severe disease and complications, according to reports. Coronavirus spreads from person to person through droplets from coughing or sneezing. Droplets travel up to six feet through the air, and land where they can be picked up by touching contaminated surfaces. Hand hygiene is critical to breaking the spread of infection, especially after touching a potentially contaminated surface and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes. It's best to stay home if you are not well. If you feel you need medical attention, call your doctor or emergency care center for guidance. As always, if you have a true emergency, go to the nearest emergency care center. See the following links for further information on COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html and https://dph.georgia.gov/novelcoronavirus.

IDA, City and County Officials Discuss Sewer Project Funding

Published 3-5-2020By Bridge Turner Members of the Thomaston City Council and Upson County Commission attended a meeting of the Industrial Development Authority last week to weigh in on a recently unveiled $8.7 million plan to upgrade the community’s ailing wastewater infrastructure. City Manager Russell Thompson was quick to tell board members that his figures are a “snapshot of potential funding sources,” and not a proposal, adding that the city likely will move forward with one of two options provided. Which option will largely depend on the level of participation by the county and IDA. The plan involves improvements to Bell Creek and Town Branch facilities and an interceptor at Town Branch. Inclusion of a transfer pipe, which could increase capacity to the industrial park, accounts for an estimated $2.1 million of the project. Funding is available through various loans and grants, collections from the special purpose local option sales tax, and revenue from joint projects between the city and county. But there will be approximately $3 million left unfunded to be offset by the three governing bodies or a combination thereof. Executive Director Kyle Fletcher said any action taken by the IDA would be premature until participation decisions are made by city and county officials, and IDA Chair Carson Gleaton agreed. “Y’all fund us. We will only be able to vote for funding after we know what you’re going to fund,” Gleaton stated. “Is the county not saying they’re going to help with their unincorporated cost of $1.1 million?” County Commission Chairman Norman Allen, who also sits on the IDA board, said one question is whether the IDA is interested in developing the industrial park, and to what degree. “I would say we are. I don’t think anyone on this board would say no,” Gleaton responded. “But we have to know, from the county’s perspective, what the county’s interested in doing. The city [manager] has said what he’s going to propose to [council], but I haven’t heard the county say.” “We’ve obligated $741,000 so far,” Allen replied, “but the county commission hasn’t been presented this yet.” The IDA currently holds about $1.5 million in its account, some of which has been committed to other non-related projects. But the IDA has no source of revenue aside from city and county support. “The three parties need to sit down and hash out who’s going to pay for what,” said Joel Bentley, who serves as attorney for the IDA and City of Thomaston. “The IDA has certain funds in cash reserve. Are part of those funds going to be pledged? Can all parties agree to some type of funding mechanism? “Nobody, in my experience, is going to loan the IDA money. There are no revenue flows for the IDA, period,” Bentley continued. “It’s fallen on the county in the past. The county generally has been required to co-sign because the county has full faith and credit.” The level of IDA participation in funding the project will affect the amount of sewage capacity allocated to the industrial park, and decisions are needed prior to beginning the process, according to Thompson. “If we [city] proceed with option two [no transfer pipe] and the IDA decides to jump in months down the road, we’ve already spent our part,” Thompson said. A lack of adequate wastewater service has limited the IDA’s recruiting pool, according to board members. “If we’re going to market the park, we need capacity,” Fletcher said. The IDA has discussed the construction of pad-ready sites and other speculative development as incentive for potential industries considering location in Upson County. Developing the entire park for optimum recruitment could cost more than $4 million, in addition to the sewer project. The next scheduled meeting of the IDA is 8 a.m. Monday, March 9 at the Government Complex.

Heart & Soul Day at the Capitol

Published 3-5-2020
Rep. Ken Pullin invited local officials to the Capitol Monday to take part in a resolution proclaiming March 2, 2020 Thomaston-Upson Community Heart & Soul Day. Find more the full story and more about the Heart & Soulabration in next week's edition of The Upson Beacon. Pullin, back left, is shown with Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, Neil Trice of Upson EMC, Mayor J.D. Stallings, Commission Chairman Norman Allen, (front row, from left) Sarah Lightner of Orton Family Foundation, Sen. John Kennedy, H&S Coordinator Jennifer Rogers, and Jenny Robbins of Georgia EMC.

Published 2-27-2020 Cameron Jones pled guilty last week to malice murder and aggravated assault in the December 2018 death of Roderick Crawford, and was sentenced to serve life in prison plus 20 years, according to a press release from Chief Assistant District Attorney Marie Broder. Broder, recently appointed to succeed Ben Coker as district attorney of the Griffin Judicial Circuit, and Assistant District Attorney Ashton Fallin prepared the case for trial, which was scheduled to begin March 9. The defendant entered a guilty plea in front of Judge W. Fletcher Sams last Thursday on what was scheduled to be a motions day. The family and law enforcement agreed to the guilty plea. Kiera Williams, a co-defendant, also pled guilty to malice murder of Barnesville resident Crawford on a previous court date and was sentenced to life in prison followed by 20 years. Williams and Jones shot and killed Crawford at an abandoned house in Upson County. Both Jones and Williams still face charges in Clayton County. "On Dec. 29 of 2018, Roderick Crawford, a beloved father, husband, brother, cousin, and son, went missing from Lamar County," Broder said. "Agencies immediately began to work together to find him and happened upon a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde story. Our office worked with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Lamar County Sheriff's Office, the Upson County Sheriff's Office, Thomaston Police Department, Clayton County District Attorney's Office, Clayton County Sheriff's Office, Clayton County Police Department, Forest Park Police Department, and the Towaliga District Attorney's Office to apprehend Cameron Jones and Kiera Williams, who were responsible for a multi-county crime spree involving five different men.” “These crimes would have never been solved but for the diligent efforts of the incredible men and women in these agencies,” Broder continued. “They put in countless hours to apprehend these dangerous criminals and bring them to justice. Let this plea and sentence be a message to those that seek to do unspeakable harm to upstanding people like Roderick Crawford. Upson County and the Griffin Judicial Circuit will not tolerate crime such as this in our community."

GDOT Official Gives Update of Ongoing, Upcoming ProjectsBrooks: ‘This is the Year of Resurfacing’

GDOT’s Penny Brooks told attendees of the Sun’s Up on Upson meeting that a “roundabout” is planned at the five-way stop, and, “You’ll learn to love it.”

Published 2-27-2020By Bridge Turner Penny Brooks, District 3 communications officer for the Georgia Department of Transportation, told local leaders that the county will receive its share of road improvements during what she termed “the year of resurfacing” at a Sun’s Up on Upson business breakfast meeting last week. Topics included the Highway 19 North widening project, a proposed “roundabout” at the five-way stop, realignment of the “one-way pairs” downtown, creation of “rumble strips,” resurfacing state routes and implementation of distracted driving and walking programs. Brooks first assessed the widening project at Northside, saying that excessive rainfall has delayed progress somewhat, but the department considers the project to be on schedule. She added that concerns regarding aging infrastructure beneath the highway are being addressed. “As you know, there was a conflict with what was in the design and what was in the road,” Brooks said. “We’ve been working with our contractor, and the plumbing issue has been worked out. That whole situation should be resolved within the next month or so. Otherwise, it has been a smooth project.” The projected two-and-a-half-year widening project, which includes shifting the Delray Road intersection to Jimmerson Road, should be completed in summer of 2021, she estimated. A traffic circle or “roundabout” at the five-way intersection of Highways 36 and 74, Hightower Street and North Bethel Street east of the square is in the design phase, according to Brooks. The design should be introduced to the public at an open house by the end of 2020, at which time GDOT will welcome feedback, she said. “It will promote and maintain better connectivity, minimize property impact, and reduce crash frequency and severity by reducing contact points,” Brooks explained. “It will reduce the speed at which accidents may occur, improving sight distance through improved geometric design, plus there will be pedestrian enhancements.” Brooks admitted that initially most communities are not receptive to roundabouts, but said once constructed, attitudes quickly improve. “The data is clear,” she stated. “It keeps traffic moving, forces you to be alert and is much more efficient. You’ll learn to love it.” The roundabout will be tied to a project to improve operations of the four intersections along the Highway 36 and 74 one-way pairs [through downtown] by realigning the intersections and improving their geometry. Following the open house and an approximate six-month bidding process, the project should require less than 12 months to complete, according to Brooks. Rumble strips on both center and side lines are being installed on most roadways and soon “will be everywhere,” Brooks commented. The strips, which abruptly alert drivers wandering outside the proper lane, are proven to prevent accidents, according to reports. Most work related to rumble strips will be conducted quickly overnight to avoid traffic interruption, and should be completed in the area by June, she said. Among planned routine resurfacing projects is a 12-mile stretch on Highway 74 West from Potato Creek to the Pike County line, which should be completed by end of summer. Upson County is located in the center of the district’s 31-county area which spans north to south from Atlanta to Americus and east to west from Macon to the Alabama state line. The central location resulted in District 3 headquarters being constructed locally, according to Brooks. District 3 boasts more interstate miles than any district in Georgia, and the local operations center constantly monitors activity on those roadways. Brooks reminded those in attendance that there will be lane closures associated with many upcoming projects, and stressed the importance of attention to signage and flaggers near work zones. The Sun’s Up on Upson business breakfast meeting was held in the auditorium of Upson Regional Medical Center.

Fugitive Escapes After Collision, Auto Theft

Terel King

Published 2-20-2020By Bridge Turner A fugitive wanted in connection with a 2017 robbery of a local convenience store remains at large after a pursuit, collision, and car theft to elude Thomaston Police Department personnel last week. Terel King of Upson County, who has outstanding warrants for aggravated assault and robbery, was spotted by a senior officer patrolling the Triune Mill Road area around 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, according to TPD investigators. Following positive identification of King driving a Cadillac Escalade, the officer radioed for additional response. Multiple marked units joined in pursuit, which ended momentarily with an intentional collision near the intersection of Avenue L and Barnesville Street. As officers attempted to apprehend King exiting his vehicle, the involvement of a civilian complicated an already volatile situation, according to reports. The civilian had stopped in the roadway and drawn a pistol as King approached his vehicle, with hands raised. King rushed past the civilian, entered the vehicle with officers trying to remove him, and accelerated onto Avenue L. Police units chased but lost contact with King, who was last seen traveling south on Waymanville Road away from Thomaston. One officer was injured in the collision and two more sustained injuries in the altercation with King. All three officers were treated and released from Upson Regional Medical Center. “It could have turned out better, but it also could have been a lot worse,” a TPD representative said of the incident.King, a 31-year-old black male, should be considered extremely dangerous, according to department reports. Anyone having information concerning the whereabouts of King or the stolen vehicle, a 2003 Nissan Pathfinder bearing Georgia license plate PYD4823, is urged to immediately dial 911 or contact the Thomaston Police Department at 706-647-5455.

Broder Appointed District Attorney For Griffin CircuitFirst Female D.A. in Circuit’s History

D.A. Marie G. Broder

Published 2-20-2020 Gov. Brian Kemp has selected Marie G. Broder of Spalding County to serve as the new Griffin Judicial Circuit district attorney following his appointment of D.A. Benjamin D. Coker to the fifth judgeship for the circuit. Broder is the first woman to be named D.A. in the Griffin circuit. Broder, who currently serves as chief assistant district attorney, received bachelor’s degrees in speech communication and public relations and a law degree from the University of Georgia. She has served as a law clerk and associate, assistant district attorney and office manager in the Griffin circuit. Broder is a member of the Federalist Society, Georgia Cattlemen’s Association, Georgia Bar Association, Phi Beta Kappa, Daughters of the American Revolution, Spalding County Bar Association, Fayette County Bar Association, Upson County Bar Association and Georgia Association of Women Lawyers. She and her husband, Karl, reside in Griffin with their daughter. Coker, who was chosen to fill a vacancy on the circuit’s Superior Court, holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration, risk management and insurance from the University of Georgia and a law degree from the Georgia State University College of Law. Prior to his appointment, Coker served as an associate attorney and assistant district attorney. He is a member of the Thomaston Bar Association, Spalding County Bar Association, Fayette County Bar Association and is a board member for Promise Place, a domestic violence prevention agency. Coker and his wife, Christy, reside in Thomaston with their children.

Crawford to Resign After Guilty PleaJudge Will be Allowed to Retire

Robert “Mack” Crawford

Published 2-20-2020Editor’s Note: The following story by R. Robin McDonald is reprinted from the “Daily Report” website. In the Pike County courthouse where he presided as a judge for nearly a decade, suspended Superior Court Judge Robert “Mack” Crawford pled guilty through an Alford plea Thursday to theft by taking. A charge of violating his oath of office and a second theft charge were dismissed. Superior Court Judge Maureen Gottfried, on assignment from the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit in Columbus, sentenced Crawford to 12 months of unsupervised, fee exempt probation and granted him first offender status. Crawford’s plea will not be made part of the court record at this time and will be sealed along with the charges, once his probation is complete.Crawford was charged with abusing his judicial authority to steal $15,675 that belonged to former clients from the Pike County court registry. Crawford repaid the money in 2018 after the Judicial Qualifications Commission received multiple complaints that he had violated the state Code of Judicial Conduct and launched an ethics investigation into the judge. The funds were subsequently turned over to the state Department of Revenue, which located one of Crawford’s former clients and forwarded the money to her last year. As part of a plea agreement with the state attorney general’s office, which did not include an admission of guilt, Crawford agreed to retire and submit his resignation to Gov. Brian Kemp by Friday. The 66-year-old judge, whose term expires in December, also promised he will not seek reelection or apply for, run for, or serve as a judge in any court while he remains on probation.Crawford has not heard any cases since the state judicial watchdog agency suspended him with pay after his indictment by a Pike County grand jury nearly 16 months ago. Crawford’s attorney, Virgil Brown, told the court that his client maintains he was owed the money for legal work he performed but was never paid. Brown also insisted that Crawford never ordered the clerk to give him the money or intimidated her in any way.“She paid him that money back because she thought it was the right thing to do,” Brown said. “I’ve known Mack Crawford most of his life… In my opinion, Mack Crawford would not take one cent that was not his.” Crawford said he entered the Alford plea and agreed to retire because he decided when he ran in 2012 that it would be his last campaign. He said he also feared his state pension might be jeopardized if a trial led to a felony conviction. “I think I would have prevailed, but I wasn’t going to take the chance,” he said. Crawford refused to step down in the wake of his indictment despite a recommendation by the state judicial watchdog agency that he be removed from office. Crawford instead filed a legal challenge questioning the legitimacy of the appointed commissioners who voted to oust him. The Supreme Court of Georgia stayed a decision on whether to accept the JQC’s recommendation to remove Crawford until an appeal of his challenge is resolved.

​PD Reports Shootings, No Injuries

Published 2-13-2020 Two walk-by shootings were reported 40 minutes apart at locations within 1.5 miles of each other early Sunday morning, according to reports from the Thomaston Police Department. No injuries were reported, and no arrests had been made at press time. Officers were dispatched to Triune Village Apartments just after 1 a.m. Sunday in reference to gunshots and discovered multiple shell casings on the ground and bullet holes in the living room and bedroom windows at unit 226. A resident stated she was watching television in her bedroom and heard four gunshots, but did not see a vehicle. A second resident told officers she was in bed with her son when she heard the shots, and a third witness said she was sleeping and remembered being pushed to the floor for safety. Four shell casings were collected, and investigators documented two bullet holes in the living room window and one in the bedroom window of the apartment. Less than 40 minutes later, officers were dispatched to 209 Washington Street for a similar shooting and were given a description of the alleged offender by a threatened witness. “[The witness] saw a dark colored vehicle drive by the house and stop,” according to the report. “A black male subject wearing gray sweatpants, black shoes and a gray hoody walked into the yard and approached him at the front door. The male subject kicked the door and started shooting at him… then fled the area.” Investigators noted four bullet holes, two in the wood frame of the front door and two in the window beside the door. Four shell casings, identified as .40-caliber Smith & Wesson, were found on the ground in a line from the front door to the street. Both scenes were processed, and cases were forwarded to investigations.

Batchelor Found Guilty, Sentenced To 2 Life Terms

David Scott Batchelor

Published 2-6-2020 David Scott Batchelor was found guilty on all counts in Upson Superior Court last week and sentenced to serve two life terms in prison. A jury found Batchelor, who already was serving an 18-year sentence for sexual exploitation of children in connection to computer-related distribution of child pornography, guilty of rape, aggravated sexual battery, incest, and child molestation. His daughter, now 15, took the stand and testified against him during the trial. “As lawyers, we all have those cases that are so difficult that we are forever changed by them,” commented Chief Assistant District Attorney Marie Greene Broder. “Today marked the end of one of the most challenging cases that I have tried in my career. I am blown away by the bravery of the children that took the stand this week. They are true heroes.” Broder prosecuted the case along with Assistant D.A. Ashton Fallin. “I am beyond thankful for the love and support from my family during this trial,” Broder continued. “I am incredibly thankful for an office that worked so hard to see that this conviction became a reality. Thank you to the jurors who sat through extremely difficult testimony. Finally, thank you to a community who supported us and the family through the entire trial.” During sentencing, Judge Fletcher Sams addressed 48-year-old Batchelor, saying, “Based on the evidence I have seen, you are a predator.” “Crimes against children are real. They are devastating, they are traumatic, and they are hard,” Broder concluded. “May we, as advocates, never cease to try the hard cases, especially the ones involding children. I pray for all of the families involved. Both sides are hurting. But, most of all, I praise God for the strength of children who face monsters. That takes true courage.”

Coker Named Griffin Judicial Circuit 5th Judge

Benjamin D. Coker

Published 2-6-2020 District Attorney Benjamin D. Coker of Upson County has been named the fifth judge for the Griffin Judicial Circuit, a position created by the passage of House Bill 28 during the 2019 session of the Georgia General Assembly.Coker was selected by Gov. Brian Kemp from a short list submitted by the Judicial Nominating Commission which included two other local officials, Maria Greene Broder, chief assistant district attorney, and Ben J. Miller, Jr., presiding judge of juvenile court for the circuit. Coker has successfully prosecuted numerous high-profile cases since being elected circuit district attorney in 2017, including the 34-year-old cold case murder of Timothy Coggins. Coker’s overall conviction rate is better than 95 percent. During his tenure, Coker has assisted law enforcement agencies with a variety of investigations, including wire taps and racketeering cases. As D.A., he personally handled hundreds of asset forfeitures removing hundreds of thousands of dollars from the hands of criminals and distributing the funds to law enforcement and victims of crimes. Prior to being elected D.A., Coker was an assistant district attorney and office manager of both the Pike and Upson County offices. He said he considers it an honor and a privilege to serve the citizens of the entire circuit. Coker and his wife Christy reside with their four children in Upson County. He completed his undergraduate work at the University of Georgia and received his law degree from the Georgia State University School of Law. He plans to set up his judicial chambers in the Upson County courthouse.

Colby McRae Named 2020 STAR Student

Published 1-30-2020 Upson Lee High School senior Colby Brooks McRae has been named the school’s 2020 PAGE STAR Student. Doyle Allen, member of Thomaston Kiwanis Club and local STAR program sponsor, announced the honor at the club’s meeting. McRae earned the recognition for academic achievement and performance on the Scholastic Aptitude Test. He selected Bethany Norris as his STAR teacher. The Student-Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) program, now in its 62nd year, is administered and promoted by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) Foundation. Since its inception, the STAR program has honored more than 27,500 students and the teachers they have selected as having had the most influence on their academic achievement. To obtain the STAR nomination, high school seniors must have the highest score on a single test date on the S.A.T. and be in the top 10 percent or top 10 students of their class based on grade point average. “We are very proud of Colby and Mrs. Norris and the academic excellence demonstrated at Upson Lee High,” said Allen.

City to Move Forward With New TFD Plan

Published 1-30-2020​By Bridge Turner Thomaston City Council members voted unanimously last week to move forward with a proposed plan to construct a new $2.5 million fire department, rejecting the possibility of renovating and expanding an existing municipal building to house TFD.City Manager Russell Thompson said the topic was discussed during the council’s recent joint workshop when consideration was given to remodeling the structure which currently houses the pardons and parole board office on North Church Street. Architectural plans place the new fire department just north of the existing building, which would be incorporated into a potential “safety complex.” Initial architect fees would be $115,000 to design a remodel, and final cost to renovate and expand would be “comparable” to constructing a completely new facility, according to Thompson, who warned against “throwing good money after bad.”Mayor Pro-Tem Doug Head agreed. “You say the costs are comparable, but you never know what problems may come to light later in the building you’ve redone,” Head said. “We’ve seen it with the police department and, on a smaller scale, even the armory. My desire would be to start from scratch rather than renovate a shell.” The city’s lease with the pardons and parole board ends June 30 and renewal is in question, according to Thompson, who recommended the council maintain its course toward a new facility.“If it’s going to cost the same, we’d probably like to have new,” Councilman Ryan Tucker said before seconding a motion by Head.Depending on lease renewal by the current tenants, the city will be faced with demolishing or repurposing the existing municipal building. Work could start as early as spring on the new fire department, with an estimated completion time of nine months “after the first dirt is turned,” Thompson said. In other business, council voted to appoint Steve Duke to the Office Building Authority and Jamesan Gramme, director of Thomaston-Upson Archives, to the Historical Preservation Commission. Councilmembers discussed addendums to the city personnel policy to address demotions and limit employee time spent on social media, and also directed City Attorney Joel Bentley to upgrade an ordinance regarding “nuisance trees” in Thomaston.

Murder Trial Set for March In Thomaston

L-R: Cameron Jones and Kiera Williams

Published 1-23-2020 ​A local man and an Atlanta woman will stand trial in Upson Superior Court in March for the murder of 46-year-old Roderick Crawford of Barnesville, according to Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Ben Coker.Cameron Jones, 21, of Thomaston is scheduled for trial March 9 and 19-year-old Kiera Williams’ trial will start a week later on March 16. Investigators said the pair were involved in an escort scam that resulted in victims being robbed when they intended to meet Williams for sex. Crawford left home Dec. 28, 2018 and his body was found Jan. 3, 2019 behind an abandoned mobile home in Lincoln Park. His car was found earlier in Clayton County.Crawford was shot to death. Jones and Williams were arrested in DeKalb County and charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, kidnapping and possession of a firearm during commission of a crime, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.Williams also was wanted in connection with a second homicide in Forest Park. She faced charges of armed robbery, aggravated assault and murder in the death of 28-year-old Mario Rashad Edwards of Covington, who was found shot dead inside a vacant apartment Dec. 21, 2018. There was additional security at the courthouse for Jones’ and Williams’ first appearance in court because of gang ties. Clayton County deputies discovered a plot by Jones to kill deputies transporting them to court.

Remembering a Civic Leader

Published 1-23-2020​ Despite freezing temperatures, dozens of local citizens gathered to remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday.​After a small celebration on the courthouse square, participants walked from the square to Upson Lee Middle School for a MLK Day celebration. Donisha Gray was the guest speaker. See more photos in the 1-23-2020 edition of The Upson Beacon on Page 14 or on The Upson Beacon's Facebook page.

microburst damages flint river property

Published 1-16-2020 A suspected microburst tore through Flint River properties located off Pleasant Valley Road during a thunderstorm in Upson County last Saturday. Emergency Management Agency Director Martha Ann McCarty visited the area Monday and said she suspects it was a microburst of straight-line winds, but sent pictures to the state for confirmation. The Beacon received reports of hundreds of fallen trees and severe damage to several properties in that area. A microburst is a pattern of intense winds that descends from rain clouds, hits the ground, and fans out – often, but not always associated with thunderstorms or strong rains. The National Weather Service states that microbursts are not as widely recognized as tornadoes, but they can cause comparable and, in some cases, worse damage than some tornadoes. Wind speeds as high as 150 miles per hour are possible in extreme microburst cases. Sheldon and Barbie Crane’s cabin and porch collapsed from a large fallen tree during the storm. The Cranes’ cabin would have collapsed completely but a boat given to Sheldon from his “pawpaw” supported one side. Shelden said, “I am more upset about my pawpaw’s boat being crushed than I am about the cabin.” A large tree fell and covered Kevin and Rinda Hamilton’s cabin located next door to the Cranes. Other properties experienced fallen trees and damage to sheds and docks, and a camper was flipped upside down.

After 38 years, sheryl is coming home

Brooks County officials delayed burial of "Jane Doe" for almost three months trying to identify her.

Closure is Emotional Conflict for Local Family of 'Jane Doe' Murdered in Brooks County​Published 1-16-2020by Bridge Turner ​“If it weren’t for divine intervention, we would not be here today.” Johnnie Hay said those words, spoken by an agent with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, immediately gave her peace when she and her family met with officials in Quitman, Ga. last week to end a 38-year search for her sister, Sheryl Hammack.Johnnie, now living in Meansville, was 11 when her sister left home in late 1981 to travel with the fair. Middle sister Lynn Johnson, who still lives in Thomaston, was 17 at the time, and has a clear memory of the weeks that followed Sheryl’s departure. “She left right at the end of September or first of October in 1981,” Lynn said of her then 18-year-old sister. “I remember she called us two to three times a week. After about three weeks, she said she was coming home for Christmas, and that’s the last time we heard from her.” Lynn said her mother, Kathleen Hammack, bought a gift for Sheryl that Christmas, and the gift was under the tree every Christmas until recent years. “I think Mom always held out hope,” Johnnie said. “I personally didn’t. I always felt like she was deceased. That was my way of dealing with it. It was easier than thinking she was living on the street somewhere or being in sex trafficking. But even until this happened, you still had that small bit of hope in the back of your mind.” Johnnie and Lynn describe their mother, who also lives in Thomaston, as a “very strong woman, but emotionally drained.” Now 81, she is “handling it as well as can be expected,” the daughters agreed. They may have thought the worst, but the close-knit, faith-based family never stopped looking for Sheryl. Johnnie said she searched websites, watched television programs about missing persons, and received calls from her friends and co-workers any time they saw someone resembling her sister. Lynn said the family posted a picture of Sheryl on Facebook every February for her birthday. She would have been 57 next month. “Birthdays and holidays, especially Christmas, were horrible,” Lynn said. “I don’t like to see or even hear about a fair.” “I know this is odd, but I still love the smell of the fair,” Johnnie said, tapping into a different sensory emotion. “Every time I smell diesel fuel, it makes me think of her. I love the fair because of that.” The sisters have made certain that Sheryl will not be forgotten by reminding their children that they have another aunt. On Halloween 1981, the body of a white female was discovered beside a small, dirt lane entrance to a corn field near Dixie, Ga. The victim, described as 5-foot-2, 105 pounds with shoulder length brown hair and hazel eyes, was partially covered by limbs and foliage. Her death was determined to be from a stab wound to her abdomen and associated strangulation, according to GBI reports. The Bunting family of Brooks County insisted that she not be buried in a pauper’s grave, but instead in their family plot in a dignified manner. Her likeness was carved into the marble slab, along with the phrase, “Known only to God.” After a fateful series of events led the family to this “Jane Doe” murder, DNA tests confirmed, on Dec. 19 last year, that the victim was Shirlene “Sheryl” Ann Hammack. “It’s closure, but 38 years is a long time,” Lynn said softly, looking through tear-filled eyes. “The death was still hard to take.” “It’s a sense of relief, but an ending that we didn’t want to deal with,” Johnnie added, also fighting tears. “Our faith is strong, and that’s what has kept us going.” The sisters said they met the now retired law enforcement officer who arrested Sheryl’s killer, then 52-year-old George Newsome, in 1981. Newsome escaped from the Brooks County Jail and remained a fugitive until he was recaptured in January 1983 in Alabama. After being captured, he admitted to the homicide, but officials did not connect it to Sheryl’s disappearance. Newsome died in prison in August 1988, having never revealed the identity of his victim.​

​Info Sought on Missing Woman and Caregiver

Missing: Linda Kimble

Caregiver Kishia Mitchell

Linda Kimble

Published 1-9-2020​ A Culloden woman with family ties to Upson County and her caregiver have been missing for three months following a report filed by her daughter in early October 2019. Linda Kimble, 59, was reported missing by her daughter, Richetta Henderson, after being placed into the care of Kishia Mitchell, an Auxilium Care, Inc. worker. According to Gwinnett County Police, the last known address for Mitchell is now a vacant property. Police added that Mitchell has an active warrant for probation violation, but has not been charged in relation to Kimble’s missing status. Henderson, along with local family members Faye Williams, Edith Williams, Janet Kendall and Chandria Taylor, continue to search for answers. “I thought that she [Mitchell] was a perfect person for my mom and all of a sudden there’s no more communication,” Kimble’s daughter said. “And it got to the point where I had to call the police and file a missing persons report.” Following is a story by Asia Simone Burns which appeared on the Atlanta Journal-Constitution website: Gwinnett County police have taken out warrants against a home health care worker after multiple people with special needs who were supposed to be in her care told authorities they hadn’t eaten for days. The health care worker is also tied to the disappearance of a woman, officials said. Kishia Mitchell is facing two counts of exploitation of a disabled or elder person and two counts of unlicensed personal care home, Gwinnett police spokeswoman Cpl. Michele Pihera said in a news release. The case was opened Oct. 4 when Linda Kimble’s daughter reported her missing, according to a Gwinnett police report. The daughter said Kimble, 59, was discharged from Eastside Emory Hospital in August. Her mother was then put into the care of Mitchell, an Auxilium Care Inc. worker. The woman told police she had tried to visit her mother several times “but Kishia made several excuses,” the incident report said. “Kishia told (Kimble’s daughter) to give her mother three weeks to get settled in before visiting her,” the report said. “When (Kimble’s daughter) asked Kishia for a phone number or address to see and speak with her mom, she stopped replying.” Eventually, the woman drove to an address in Stone Mountain where Mitchell had instructed her to mail a check. The place was vacant, the report said. The woman called Mitchell and said she was at the Stone Mountain address, but Mitchell told her that her mother had moved. She again refused to provide an address. A Gwinnett investigator began to search for more information about Mitchell and found that Auxilium Care had been permanently closed. When a Gwinnett police officer called Mitchell to ask about Kimble’s whereabouts, she said Kimble was at a location in Snellville. That property was vacant, police said. On Oct. 11, police were sent to a Wells Fargo bank on Rockbridge Road on another call related to Mitchell. A 26-year-old man walked into the bank and said he hadn’t seen Mitchell, who was his caretaker, for two days. He told investigators he hadn’t eaten. Officers took him back to the place he said was his home and found nine other adults with “varying levels of special needs,” Pihera said. “There was no caretaker present, and officers learned that the residents had not eaten or had access to medications in several days,” she said. Eight of the nine people were relocated using Temporary Emergency Relocation Funds, and the ninth person declined relocation. Kimble was not among the residents found in the house. Warrants for Mitchell’s arrest were obtained a week later, records show. “At this time, detectives are still seeking the whereabouts of both Linda Kimble and Kishia Mitchell,” Pihera said. “It is imperative that Linda is located so we can make sure her physical and medical needs are being met.” Kimble, who suffers from dementia, is described as a black woman with black hair and brown eyes. She is about 5-foot-6 and weighs roughly 170 pounds, police said. Anyone with information is asked to contact GCPD detectives at 770-513-5300. Tipsters can remain anonymous, and be eligible for rewards of up to $2,000, by contacting Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-8477, texting information to 274637 or visiting the Crime Stoppers website. The Gwinnett County PD detective associated with the case failed to return calls from The Upson Beacon requesting updated developments regarding the disappearance. “Give the police whatever information they need,” said Henderson in a message to Mitchell. “Turn yourself in.” Henderson asks that anyone with information contact her at 678-764-8633, 706-975-4080 or 478-951-0134, the fugitive unit at 770-822-3151, or findinglindakimble@gmail.com.

​Upson-Lee Elementary Named 2019-20 Reward School

Upson-Lee Elementary staff pictured after being named a 2019-20 Georgia Reward School.

Published 1-9-2020 ​According to the Georgia Department of Education and the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement, Upson-Lee Elementary is “beating the odds” and has been named a Georgia Department of Education 2019-20 Reward School. Reward Schools, as designated by the GaDOE, are among the greatest improving five percent of Title 1 Schools throughout the state. ULES posted a 14.1 point gain this year in the CCRPI, rising from a score of 62.4 in 2018 to 76.5 in 2019. In addition to improving CCRPI scores, Reward Schools must maintain or improve the performance of certain subgroups, to include economically disadvantaged, English language learners, and students with disabilities. Thomaston-Upson Superintendent Dr. Larry Derico and Assistant Superintendent Julie English visited ULES on Friday, Dec. 20 to deliver the good news. “This is a huge accomplishment, and we appreciate you all,” English stated as she addressed the faculty and staff. Dr. Derico said, “We are extremely proud of the ULES faculty, staff, students, and their families for meeting the challenges, for overcoming barriers, and for ensuring that we provide excellence in education at all times to all students.”

K-9 “Beno” Joins TPD Force

Published 1-2-2020By Bridge Turner The Thomaston Police Department is proud to announce the addition of K-9 Officer Beno, a sizeable male German shepherd, to the local force. Beno was introduced to Mayor J.D. Stallings and the city council in person by his handler, Patrolman Jared Fordham, and Chief Mike Richardson at a recent meeting at City Hall. The new four-legged officer is from Lask, Poland and was shipped to Highland Canine of Harmony, N.C., where he and Patrolman Fordham trained together for four weeks. Beno lives with Fordham, rides to and from each work shift with him, and the two train together on a daily basis. “Typically I will feed him before work, complete obedience training either before work or at the beginning of the shift, then make traffic stops and answer calls for service as usual, with Beno in my patrol car,” Fordham said. Beno does not require a special diet or nutrition plan, but his portion of the patrol vehicle is customized. The rear is divided with half being for Beno and the other half providing a seat for prisoner transport, according to Fordham. Beno’s kennel also has lights and a fan to regulate temperature. The canine already has begun pulling his weight on the force. He has detected marijuana a half dozen times during traffic stops, resulting in three arrests; detected powder cocaine on a traffic stop, one arrest; detected methamphetamine on two traffic stops, one arrest per stop; and detected meth while sniffing a hotel room, another arrest. All of that was accomplished during his first 10 days on the job. The Upson County Sheriff’s Office has its own K-9 officer, but there’s no law that says they can’t work together. “As with all of our resources, the police department is always willing to assist the sheriff’s office, state patrol, or other law enforcement,” Fordham said. “The sheriff’s office has also allowed their canine to assist the police department in the past. Beno has already assisted GSP, but has not been requested for the sheriff’s office yet.” Beno is extremely friendly, according to his handler, and is trained to respond to commands in both English and German languages. Fordham emphasized that his name is pronounced “Ben-o” and not “Bean-o.” “He will allow anyone to pet him, so if you see us and want to meet him, just ask,” Fordham said. “Beno also does well with kids.” The Upson Ministerial Association generously requested to sponsor/donate a ballistic patrol vest for Beno. The custom fit vest is being produced at a cost of approximately $1,200, according to an estimate by Fordham. TPD’s previous K-9 officer, named Ryder, suffered from a congenital health condition that prevented him from working in the field. City Finance Director Lonnie Joyce and his wife adopted Ryder and gave him specialized care, including treatment at Auburn University. Despite Joyce’s efforts, Ryder died in Spring of 2019. “He was so sweet, I don’t think he was cut out for police work,” Joyce said. “He was a special dog.” Ryder was guaranteed by his breeder, so the warranty covered the cost of his replacement, Beno, and Fordham’s training. Sadly, the warranty could not ease the painful loss experienced by the Joyce family.

SCTC Nursing Program Now Being Offered at Thomaston Location

Published 1-2-2020 Southern Crescent Technical College has officially been approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing to expand the associate degree nursing (RN) program to the Flint River Campus in Thomaston. The nursing program is currently offered at the SCTC Henry County Center. Twenty qualified students have been accepted into this new cohort being offered on the Flint River Campus beginning in January for Spring Semester 2020. “The approval of this expansion of SCTC's associate degree nursing program marks a significant gain for our college and community in meeting the demand for qualified registered nurses,” said Dr. Alvetta P. Thomas, SCTC president. “This approval results from several years of planning and strong support from both our community and our local healthcare partners.” The new cohort will be housed in newly renovated Building A on the Flint River Campus. The renovated space will feature state-of-the-art equipment, along with a simulation room where students will use their knowledge to replicate “real life” scenarios. Simulation allows students to “practice” critical thinking skills, psychomotor skills and decision-making skills in a safe and controlled environment. SCTC Dean for Allied Health Kimberly Register stated, “With the expansion to our Flint River Campus, Southern Crescent Technical College is enhancing our high-quality, high-demand associate degree nursing program and making it available to more students. Along with the strong support from our highly educated nursing faculty, we are confident that the program expansion will be successful and will open opportunities for many qualified students. Our goal is to continue to graduate exceptional nurses who are both clinically competent and also possess excellent leadership skills.” Nursing has also been recognized as a high demand career in Governor Deal’s High Demand Career Initiatives report for the state of Georgia, resulting in additional financial aid opportunities for students through the Hope Career Grant. With projected state and nationwide shortages, the development and implementation of additional training programs is critical. Angie Ballard, nursing department chair at SCTC, said, “The nursing shortage in the state of Georgia is reaching critical levels. Our focus is to continue creating a culture of success within our existing program by expanding to the Flint River Campus. We anticipate more applicants and graduates from our program, which will help bridge the gap between the workforce needs in both our region and state. This is truly an exciting time for our college and students!” In addition to RN at the Henry County Center, SCTC currently offers practical nursing (LPN) programs on both the Griffin and Flint River campuses. The ASN program will allow students the option to pursue an advanced level of nursing by earning associate’s degrees and gaining the skills and knowledge needed to practice as registered nurses. Graduates of the program will be qualified to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). For more information on the ASN (RN) program, please contact 770.229.3320 or ASN@sctech.edu.

GOHS: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

Published 12-26-2019 If alcohol will be part of your holiday celebrations, the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety is reminding you not to drink and drive. State officials recently began working with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled over campaign. That means the state’s year-round “zero tolerance” policy on driving under the influence will be in force through the end of the year. “Consider this your warning because state troopers, sheriff’s deputies and police officers are going to arrest all impaired drivers they find on the road,” GOHS Director Allen Poole said. “If alcohol is going to be part of your holiday plans, please include a plan for a sober ride with a designated driver, ride-share service or cab before the party starts.” Figures from the NHTSA show 839 people across the U.S. were killed in car accidents that involved a drunk driver in December 2018. The GOHS said more of those fatalities happened between Christmas and New Year than during any other holiday last year. About 25 percent of the 375 traffic accident fatalities in Georgia in 2018 involved alcohol impairment, according to state officials. The GOHS also reminds non-drinkers to use extra caution when driving during the holidays. “The holidays are a busy time with so many of us trying to get so much done in a short period of time, and we want to remind people to avoid rushing on the road by obeying the speed limit and complying with Georgia’s hands-free law,” Pool said. “And always remember the best defense against a drunk, distracted or speeding driver is a buckled seat belt.” State officials are urging drivers who do consume alcohol during the holidays to take advantage of AAA’s “Tow-To-Go” program, where drivers who become intoxicated can arrange to get a free ride and have their vehicle towed for free, up to 10 miles. The service will be available from now until Jan. 2. Drivers can find information about the program at autoclubsouth.aaa.com/safety/tow_to_go.aspx or by calling 855-2-TOW-2-GO. Other tips the GOHS is offering drivers during the holidays include:>Remember even one alcoholic beverage is too many.>Serve non-alcoholic drinks at holiday parties to encourage designated drivers and don’t hesitate to take keys away from anyone who has consumed alcohol.>Call 911 or send a message to *GSP if you see a dunk driver on the roads.

Dunkin’ Opens in Time for 2020

Photo by Luke Haney.Published 12-26-2019 ​Dunkin’ Donuts opened its doors in Thomaston at 5 a.m. on Dec. 16. The line outside the door began at approximately 7:30 p.m. the night before, and the first 100 people in line received a year’s worth of free coffee coupons. The Thomaston location is one of the first Dunkin’ sites to have the “next generation” design. A few of the new items in Dunkin’s new generation stores include an open concept design, bar style seating, and bar style coffee taps. A ribbon cutting was held to commemorate opening day at the Thomaston location. Photo by Luke Haney.

City Adopts $33 Million 2020 Budget

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Includes 5% Raise for PD & Linemen, Tentative 1 Mill Tax Increase for New FDPublished 12-12-2019​By Bridge Turner The Thomaston City Council voted unanimously last week to adopt a $33 million operating budget for 2020 which includes a two percent raise for all employees and an additional three percent for certified law enforcement and electrical linemen. Following the vote, one councilmember appropriately commented, “Finally.” A decision was reached after weeks of debate surrounding excessive turnover in the Thomaston Police Department which has accounted for almost one-third attrition on the force. Mayor Pro-Tem Doug Head has repeatedly pushed for the five percent raise, and an outcry from local residents and officials during a public hearing prior to last week’s meeting seemed to tip the scales.In the previous December meeting, council leaned toward a three percent hike across the board. “When I walked out of the last meeting, I didn’t feel like we were addressing the issue,” Head commented before the final vote. “What’s different about the police department is that people are leaving, and I’m afraid it will get worse. That’s one position where lives may depend on it.” “I felt like… I’m not sure I did the right thing,” he continued. “Admittedly you have to have some support, and I want to bring the issue back up. I really would like for us to look at giving these policemen the five percent raise. I think we need to reconsider.”Councilmember Lakeitha Reeves, who previously advocated equal increases for all city employees, agreed to compromise after the public hearing. “I listened during the comments as it relates to retention of the police and safety of our community,” Reeves said, “and I can support the five percent if we can give the other employees two percent.” Reeves added a condition that the city conduct an internal salary study and revisit employee compensation by the middle of 2020. “I think we’ve looked at this to death. We just have to figure out what you want to do,” Finance Director Lonnie Joyce told the council. “Again, we’re talking about a $33 million budget, so $10,000 or $15,000 one way or the other isn’t going to kill us.” A few budget items remain fluid, including support for a $199,000 debt payment due in 2020 to MEAG for Thomaston’s participation in Plant Vogtle. City Manager Russell Thompson initially suggested funding the debt with surplus revenue from water and electrical service, then councilmembers considered a monthly assessment to customers. Another option mentioned was a draw from the city’s “reserve” fund. The electric fund is by far the largest budget item at $15 million, followed by the water and sewer fund at $5.4 million. Sanitation and joint projects with Upson County account for more than $1 million each. Thompson reminded councilmembers that the budget includes a “tentative” one-mill tax increase dedicated to the construction of a new fire station, estimated at approximately $2.5 million. Also added was a secretarial position requested by TFD Chief Renee Harris. TPD and Electrical Department heads will receive only the two percent standard increase for 2020.​

Council OKs $2.57 Million ESG Contract

Published 12-12-2019By Bridge Turner Councilmembers voted unanimously last week to approve a $2.57 million contract renewal for 2020 with ESG Operations, which handles water treatment and distribution for the City of Thomaston. The renewal reflects a 3.5 percent increase from ESG’s 2019 agreement with the city. Councilmembers also approved a two-year contract renewal with the Thomaston Housing Authority for Community Development property management. The contract includes an increase in both salaries and management fees. The council agreed to increase management fees from the current six percent to eight percent the first year, then to 10 percent during the second year of the renewed agreement. THA’s Patricia Allen initially requested an increase from six to 12 percent for management of the property. Effective Jan. 1, the city will switch its credit card payment service from Government Windows to Payment Service Network. The change will improve connectivity with the city system, and will save its customers money, according to Finance Director Lonnie Joyce. Charge for card payments will be reduced from four percent to 2.75 percent with the new system, Joyce said. The city will incur a set-up fee of approximately $500, and there will be a nominal monthly fee once the changeover is completed, Joyce added. Several local board nominations were made by council, including councilman Ryan Tucker for the Office Building Authority, Sandy Kersey (District 3) and Troy Woodard (District 1) for the Thomaston Zoning Commission, and Darren Day and Lane Coggins for the Downtown Development Authority. All were approved unanimously. Tucker nominated current chair Carson Gleaton to retain her position on the Industrial Development Authority. “I asked Executive Director Kyle Fletcher how important continuity is to that board, and she told me it is huge,” Tucker said. “They’ve been a pretty productive bunch. Given the momentum they have, in an effort to maintain that, I move that Carson Gleaton continue in her role.” Councilmember Lakeitha Reeves seconded the motion, which passed by a 4-1 vote. Councilman Jeff Middlebrooks, who cast the only “no” vote, had suggested the council consider Jerry Adams for the seat.

Council Members Compromise on Employee Raises

Published 12-20-2019By Bridge Turner After multiple budget work sessions and lengthy debate, Thomaston City Council members tentatively agreed last week to a three percent across-the-board raise for city employees in 2020. Board members have been divided on allocation of raises, some suggesting a higher increase is needed in departments with increasing turnover rates, and others demanding equity of distribution. Mayor Pro-Tem Doug Head voiced the strongest support for structuring raises based on recent attrition trends. “The truth is we are having specific issues in the police department. We’re actually losing people,” Head said. “Everybody is of equal value, but we are having particular risk in certain places.” Head pointed to six members recently leaving the Thomaston Police Department, and two to three more expected to leave by year end. Salaries and benefits have been cited in exit interviews as reasons for the departures. City salaries were adjusted in 2018 based on recommendations of a Carl Vinson study in July 2017, when each job was examined individually. The city adhered to a “step” program suggested by the study, raising employee pay 1.25 percent in 2019, and workers were scheduled for another 1.25 percent hike in 2020. When Upson County announced an across-the-board raise of 1.75 percent for its employees in 2020, city officials penned a proposal matching that increase. Upson County Sheriff Dan Kilgore, who also has expressed concern because of turnover in his office, proposed a five percent raise for his key personnel. “I met with the sheriff, and they’re $300 to $400 ahead of us now on [approximately $36,000] starting salary,” said TPD Chief Mike Richardson. “They’re going to more than $38,000 at the start of the year, right at a $2,000 difference if we do nothing. My concern is keeping pace.” Richardson has indicated difficulty in remaining competitive with neighboring towns and counties, and said the problem is compounded by more lucrative opportunities “in our own back yard.” He added that he already has lost one employee to the county, due in part to a more attractive benefit package. As an elected, independent, constitutional officer, Kilgore’s budget process is slightly different than Richardson’s. Head and council member Ryan Tucker advocated maintaining the 1.75 percent increase across the board and adding 3.25 percent [five percent total] for certified law enforcement and electrical linemen, another area of concern for the city. Head’s and Tucker’s positions echoed a recommendation from City Manager Russell Thompson. “That’s the staff recommendation. We have information and data to support the need for that decision,” Head said. “Why are we moving away from that?” Council members Lakeitha Reeves and Jeff Middlebrooks disagreed, Reeves saying she would like to see all other employees receive a three percent raise if certain departments receive five percent. Council member Don Greathouse said any decisions made by the council should be data driven. Council members compromised to adjust the budget to a three percent raise for all employees and conduct an internal salary study to determine where further changes are needed. That study could take as long as six months to complete, according to Thompson. “It comes down to what level of service you want to provide, and how you are going to pay for it,” Thompson concluded. “The city hasn’t raised millage in 15 years. If you had gone up one mil every three years, we’re not having this conversation. We can only provide the level of service our constituents are willing to pay for, so you have to determine the expectations of our populous.” Further budget adjustments will be required to offset the across-the-board increase from 1.75 percent to three percent and the addition of a secretarial position requested by Thomaston Fire Chief Renee Harris. A proposed dog park is among potential budget cuts discussed by council members. A public hearing on the budget is planned for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17 in the city-county meeting room of the government complex, 106 East Lee Street.

Thomaston Begins Christmas Celebrations

Published 12-5-2019 ​Hundreds gathered last weekend to watch the annual Christmas Lights Parade stroll through town.

IDA Approves Hotel Feasibility Study for Upson

Published 12-5-2019​By Bridge Turner The Thomaston-Upson Industrial Development Authority voted last week to approve a $12,500 expenditure for a local hotel feasibility study, to be conducted by The Highland Group of Atlanta. IDA members recently committed $31,000 to retention of retail consultant NextSite of Birmingham, Ala. to assist with business and industry recruitment for a minimum of two years. Executive Director Kyle Fletcher said a hotel feasibility study is the next logical step in the recruitment process. “I believe this would be an important document for both our retail consultant to have, along with current and future developers,” Fletcher told authority members. “I think this board has put a priority on a hotel, and we’ve been shut down a few times in pursuing it. If you want to do it, this is the first thing you need to have.” Fletcher said she had spoken with Andy Camp, vice president of business development with NextSite, who said his company has worked successfully with The Highland Group on previous projects. Highland partner Mark Skinner agreed to an $8,500 retainer from the IDA, with a $4,000 balance due upon completion of the study. From its inception, the hotel feasibility study should take approximately two weeks to complete, according to Fletcher, and will include gathering information from existing businesses and industries in the area. The study is intended to determine need for the service, and likelihood of the area’s ability to support the investment. Board member Steve Rush expressed concern at last month’s meeting about the city’s ability to provide adequate wastewater service to a hotel. At last week’s meeting, recently re-elected Mayor J.D. Stallings assured IDA members the city had researched potential locations and he is confident that sewage needs can be met. Fletcher reported that the IDA currently holds $160,814 in an account designated for leftover funds from approximately five years of budgets generated through a city-county joint services delivery agreement. The authority consistently has operated under budget for that period, and has amassed a six-figure savings. Contributions to the IDA’s budget are made at an approximate two-thirds (county) and one-third (city) ratio, and both entities are entitled by the agreement to recover leftover funds at that same ratio, according to City Attorney Joel Bentley. Fletcher requested that the city and county allow use of those funds to fulfill various IDA obligations. County Commission Chairman Norman Allen, who sits on the IDA board, told members the county could not commit to releasing its portion of the funds until completion of a joint projects audit currently under way.

Secretary of State Visits Board of Elections

​​By Luke HaneyGeorgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger recently visited Upson County to speak with members of the local Board of Elections about new voting machines that will be used in the March 24 Presidential Primary Election.Robert Haney, chairman of the Board of Elections, spoke about his plan to improve training processes to ensure that all poll workers are properly educated on the new equipment and fully prepared for the upcoming elections.

Board of Education Requests Reports on Bullying at Schools

Published 11-28-2019​By Luke Haney Principals of all Upson Lee schools were present at the November Board of Education meeting, upon request of board member Angeline McGill, to discuss how each school handles bullying and the policies that each school has in place. Rhonda Gulley, principal of Upson Lee Middle School, spoke first because most bullying tends to take place at middle school age. Gulley stated that all schools have the same bullying policy, per each school’s handbook. At the middle school, students have an extended learning time, referred to as ELT. At the beginning of each school year, students hear from school counselors during several ELT advisements and learn what constitutes bullying and how to gain help if a student is being bullied. “Our biggest challenge is that what parents consider bullying and what we consider to be bullying are not the same things. Also, we can’t handle things that we do not know about,” Gulley said. She added that social media plays a large role in bullying. Gulley stated that any case brought to the attention of any staff member would be investigated and handled according to the policies in the handbook and what disciplinary step a child may be on. “We revisit it often,” she explained. Gulley also said that if one grade level is having more issues than another, counselors will continue to add more advisement sessions to educate students on the dangers of bullying. Board member Steve Sadler asked what the requirement is for a situation where the student brings an incident to the attention of a teacher. “Depending on if the situation is more administrative, they will come to us,” Gulley answered. “If they feel that it may be more social or emotional, they go to the counselors first.” She stated that the counselors always inform administration about situations before they address them. The middle school also has a bullying prevention hotline number printed on posters inside the school. On the topic of cyber-bullying, Gulley says that it usually is more prevalent during school breaks when the students have a lot of free time. Often, students will bring these issues into school once the breaks have ended, turning the incident into a school-related issue. The middle school has only encountered five bullying-related cases in the 2019-2020 school year. “If we don’t know about it, we can’t do anything about it, but as soon as we find out, we do. Our teachers are great about turning things in to us,” Gulley assured board members. Pre-K Principal Jason Weems stated that pre-K is “all physical.” “We try to teach them how to interact with each other using verbalization more than physical,” Weems explained. “Most of them only know how to do two things: cry and hit.” He stated that he has had several students who would do “mean” things, but there have been no cases of bullying this year at pre-K. In reference to the bullying policy, Weems stated that he will always contact both parents immediately, starting with the victim’s parent, to let them know what happened and how it will be addressed. He generally speaks with the defending child’s parents on speaker phone so they also can speak to their child. At the elementary and primary schools, administration states that there have been no confirmed cases at the primary school and five cases at the elementary school, none of which have reached a repetitive stage. Administration stated that bullying tends to happen more often on school buses at this age. Upson Lee High School has had zero confirmed cases. Like the middle school, most situations tend to occur outside of school via social media. The biggest challenge and the first thing that administration and counselors at the high school do is to locate the source. Many things reported from social media are screenshots and have no name attached to them. This creates a challenge of finding proof. With this being Dr. Jarvis Price’s first year as principal, he stated that when a case may occur, his goal is to be fair to both sides. Price also stated that if there is a case to investigate inside the school, he is always willing to look at video footage of the hallways with the involved parents. There have been no cases of bullying at the alternative school this year. Administration states that any case will be handled fairly and fully following system protocol.

Christmas Lane Open Dec. 7

Published 11-28-2019​By Ian Shales "He was the most successful and creative person that I have ever known." Those are the words that Greg Wilson uses to describe his father, George Wilson. Standing at 6 feet 5 inches tall, George was a strong and imaginative man who loved children. He was the recreational director for B.F. Goodrich Martha Mills and coached the city-county junior high football team. While stationed in England during World War II, George noticed how the holiday decorations were quite different than those of America. Adorned with varying types of greenery, homes in England displayed holly around the door frames. That inspired George to do the same when he returned home to Thomaston. After his first tour of duty, he similarly decorated his home. .George used magnolia branches but made one important addition… lights!When Greg was five years old, the Wilson family moved to R Street. George continued to express his love for Christmas and set out to create a “Candyland.” George placed a Santa cut-out on the roof, illuminated by a spotlight. Next, there was a particular elm tree in the front yard that was wrapped with red and white oilcloth on the trunk and branches. George and a few of his football players would get together and make peppermints out of discarded spools from the mills. He drew some elves, cut them out, and painted them to add to the display. Those elves are 64 this year, old enough to receive Social Security. The Wilsons had another Santa made out of paper mache that would stand out in the front yard during the holiday season. That same Santa Claus is nearly 100 years old today. Families would come from all over to see this charming place. Kids were awestruck at its beauty. The idea of Christmas Lane, as it is known today, wasn't introduced until 1972. Earlene Simmons and Carlene Maddox lived across the street from the Wilsons, so they had a good view of Candyland's beauty. The two proposed the idea to George to have a formalized Christmas village where everybody decorated their yards. The idea was to have everyone place a Christmas tree by the sidewalk and transform R Street into a magical wonderland. The two women insisted that he would be in charge. George said, "I could see that coming!" Christmas Lane was George's pride and joy, and he poured his heart into it every year. Over the years, the Wilsons made additions to their display. One such addition was the castle that still stands tall and proud in their front yard. Before George passed away in 1994, it would take a day and a half to set up the castle. Greg decided to simplify things. Initially, the castle was a very complex masterpiece with many pieces. Greg attached pieces to make larger sections that were easier to install. What usually took a day and a half, now takes 37 minutes. Every year for the opening of Christmas Lane, Santa makes an appearance to add to the festivities. In times past, he has arrived in a police car, fire truck, horse and carriage, and a steam tractor. One year, Santa was brought in with Percheron horses and a Coca-Cola wagon. However, this dramatic entrance had to be canceled because of liability issues. Even though families are not required to decorate their homes if they live on R Street, Greg Wilson says everyone wants to participate. It is a team effort to pull off Christmas Lane every year, but it is doable and, more importantly, exciting and magical. This year, Christmas Lane officially opens on Saturday, Dec. 7.

Published 11-28-2019By Luke Haney The Silvertown Baptist Soup Kitchen served a Thanksgiving feast last Thursday. The menu included everything from turkey to chocolate cake. This is the 10th year that the Silvertown Baptist Soup Kitchen has served a thanksgiving meal. The following churches and organizations provided food and volunteers: Logtown Bethel Church, Mountain View Baptist Church, New Life Church, North Ridge Church, Northside Baptist Church, Silvertown Baptist Church, Home Depot of Thomaston and Home Depot of Griffin. Silvertown Baptist Church hosts the soup kitchen every Tuesday and Thursday at 11:30 a.m. All are welcome to attend and donations are accepted and appreciated.

KRAMER PURSUES DREAM OF OLYMPIC SHOOTING

Published 11-21-2019 Thomaston native and Upson-Lee ROTC standout Rosemary Kramer, now a senior at Georgia Southern University, has taken a year off from academics to pursue her dream of representing the United States on its Olympic shooting team. Kramer, a prodigy at air rifle, hunted growing up. Her parents, also shooters, taught her from a young age to be safe with guns. In high school, she attended a UL ROTC tryout and “shot pretty well,” she said. She ended up shooting competitively on the team for four years. Kramer had chosen Columbus State University to continue competitive shooting at the collegiate level, but the day before she was scheduled to sign her contract, the new president of the school canceled the rifle program. The coach at Columbus State told her that Georgia Southern had open spots in Statesboro, and she made the team. Kramer began compiling an impressive resume during her freshman year as the team’s leading performer in both smallbore and air rifle. During her sophomore year, she was a member of Georgia Southern’s Southern Conference air rifle championship squad, and a first team all-SoCon selection to the air rifle squad. As a junior, she was a first team all-conference selection, and named the SoCon Air Rifle Athlete of the Year. Senior year has seen Kramer named first team All-American in air rifle, as selected by the National Rifle Association. She placed third at the NCAA Air Rifle Championships in West Virginia, and tied the event’s air rifle record with a 599 in the preliminary round. She went on to become the SoCon Air Rifle champion, and was a first team All-SoCon selection in both smallbore and air rifle. In October 2018, she fired a school and SoCon record 598. Kramer averaged a school record 594.154 in air rifle, and placed first in 10 air rifle meets and first overall in five matches. She has been named SoCon Air Rifle Shooter of the Month three times, and was selected to compete in the World University Games in Naples, Italy. The first NCAA medalist and All-American in Georgia Southern history, Kramer is the first GSU Rifle student-athlete to qualify for NCAAs in the six-year history of the program. She holds school records in multiple categories, and has been named a Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association Scholastic All-American. “It was many years of working toward improvement,” said GSU head rifle coach Sandra Worman. “The final tools she needed to really soar were mental management, positive self-talk and performance management through her shooter’s journal. Once she dialed in to those assets, she confidently found her footing in the stratosphere.” Kramer’s skills have taken her outside of collegiate competition. In May, Kramer competed in the Munich World Cup in Germany. The competition gave her the opportunity to post an international score so she could attend the Olympic trials, one of only 11 women to do so. The venture also gave her an opportunity to stay with athletes who had competed previously in the Olympics, and talk with them about their experiences during the competition, as well as their training leading up to it. “It was awesome,” she said of her first time leaving the U.S., and added that other athletes gave her tips about “stuff that will help me stay sane as I go through this.” Kramer is currently training at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. She will compete in the Olympic trials in December and February, and hopes to compete in Tokyo in the 2020 Olympics. Worman says she likes Kramer’s chances. “It’s like her to rise to the occasion, and she eats pressure for breakfast,” the coach said. She’s also had the chance to experiment with different ways and methods of training, and even different rifles. Rotating out of a college program and onto the national team is a very different environment than she’s had for the past four years.” As she awaits her Olympic trial, Kramer is practicing at least six days a week and spending a lot of time working in the gym, focusing on balance training. But she says the thing she enjoys most about shooting is that it requires a lot of patience and concentration. She added that she believes shooting has increased her overall confidence and decision-making abilities. “I think it’s made me a more confident person,” she said. “I know what I’m capable of, and I know what I enjoy doing, and what I’m good at. Knowing that helps me to make decisions in life more easily. It’s given me a lot of patience and perseverance, and a work ethic that I’m really proud of.” Kramer plans to return to GSU next year and complete her degree. When asked about being a potential role model for young women, Kramer says she’s “okay with that.” “It’s really inspiring, and it makes me want to be a better person… I remember looking up to certain people, the way that they changed my life,” she said. “It means I have to be a little more careful about what I do, but I’m okay with that. I like to think that maybe I can change people’s lives for the better.”

Community Mourns Local Sports Legend Hugh Frank Radcliffe

Published 11-21-2019 Thomaston native Hugh Frank Radcliffe, best known for a baseball pitching performance in which he struck out 28 batters in nine innings, died Nov. 10 at 90 years old. Radcliffe’s national record-setting, 28-strikeout game occurred against Lanier High School April 19, 1948 at Silvertown Ball Park. One opposing batter, after striking out, reached first base on a passed ball, an error charged to the catcher. Radcliffe struck out an additional batter to complete the no-hitter. He finished the 1948 season with 201 strikeouts in 81 and two-thirds innings, an average of 2.6 strikeouts per inning, allowing only 16 hits and three earned runs for the entire season. The standout performance caught the attention of the Philadelphia Phillies organization, which offered Radcliffe a contract immediately thereafter. Beacon sports columnist Jim Fowler called Radcliffe “the greatest to ever grace the athletic fields here,” referring to his all-state achievements in basketball and football, as well as baseball. He once punted a football 78 yards in the air, and won a region pole-vaulting championship on a sprained ankle, according to Fowler. Radcliffe was featured in the Atlanta Journal, Time-Life Magazine and Ripley’s Believe it or Not, and was one of the original inductees into the Thomaston-Upson Sports Hall of Fame. The City of Thomaston declared March 27, 1998 “Hugh Frank Radcliffe Day,” honoring him on the 50th anniversary of the renowned game. After two years with the Phillies, he signed with the New York Yankees. An injury to his pitching arm shortened his promising Major League Baseball career. Fowler said Radcliffe told him one of his most memorable achievements was striking out Joe DiMaggio in a spring training intra-squad game while with the Yankees. Radcliffe is survived by his wife of 71 years, Marjorie Carraway Radcliffe.

Commissioners Split on Adding New PR Position

Published 11-21-2019By Bridge Turner After months of consideration, Upson County commissioners decided last week to suspend discussion of creating a new governmental position designed to enhance “citizen engagement.” Board members were clearly divided on the topic, which was introduced by Commissioner Benjamin Watson at a recent county work session. Earlier in the year, county officials approached members of the Thomaston City Council regarding involvement. “I don’t think we should wait on the city to participate,” Watson said. “If it [the position] does what we hope it will do, the city hopefully will want to join in later. With Heart & Soul wrapping up, I’m concerned that the money spent on that will be out the door if we don’t have someone overseeing the process moving forward.” The new position would be a transition from Heart & Soul, which has gathered and prioritized information of importance to residents. The job description has fluctuated since first mention, but Chairman Norman Allen summarized by saying, “We need someone to tell our story.” “It’s not about marketing, it’s about telling our story,” Allen said. “Taxpayers need to know what’s going on. It’s our responsibility to tell our citizenry what we’re doing and how we’re performing. We also need to get that information to potential business and industry leaders outside our area.” Branding is only part of the latest description, according to County Manager Jason Tinsley. “This person would be in charge of engagement through multi-media, representing and reporting on events, and saturating the public with our activities,” Tinsley explained. “It’s not just a continuation of Heart & Soul, it’s intended to bring people closer to government.” Commissioner Lorenzo Wilder was first to voice opposition to creating the position. “I was against it when we first talked about it, and unless somebody can convince me that the city’s buying into this thing too, I’m still against it,” Wilder said. “I think the city should be taking the lead on that position. Until we can do things together, we will never move forward.” Commissioner Paul Jones agreed with Wilder. “If the city’s not involved, I’m not for it,” Jones commented. “About 85 percent of what happens, happens in the city. I can’t see being their promoter if they [city] don’t have any skin in the game.” Commissioner James Ellington, who has stated his position “against growing government,” said his concerns are primarily fiscal. “I see somewhat of a need, but my urgency for that need is different from other people in the room,” Ellington said. “I’m skeptical about creating a $60,000 position to do something that’s hard to determine return of investment. We can guess, but from a business standpoint, it’s hard to measure what the return would be.” Ellington added that he would be more receptive to the idea if an existing county employee could transition into the new position, reducing the need for additional payroll expense. Allen closed the discussion with a comment about unity and progress. “Strong cities make strong counties, and strong counties make strong cities, so I try to use the word ‘community’,” Allen said. “We need to educate those inside and outside the community about where the growth is, where the opportunities are, and what the challenges are. “The last thing I’ll say,” he concluded, “is if you ain’t growing, you’re dying.”

Community Enterprises, Property Owners Diverge On Future of Park Drive

Published 11-14-2019By Bridge Turner The Thomaston City Council voted 4-1 last week to approve a $587,000 “base” bid for improvements to Greatest Generation Memorial Park, leaving the door open to negotiation which could push the project over $1 million. The park project is tied to a $520,000 transportation enhancement grant dating back to 2011. To secure the federal grant, the city is required to commit $130,000 in matching funds, $97,000 of which already has been spent on consulting fees, according to City Manager Russell Thompson. The total bid from Earthscape Designs, Inc. is more than $1.45 million, which includes four options which may be added to the base cost. The four options have been put on hold largely because Community Enterprises, Inc. and adjacent property owners disagree on how the southern “triangle” and southern portion of Park Drive, at the entrance to Silvertown, should be restricted in the future. Members of Community Enterprises want all elements of the south entrance to remain intact and untouched and the Rogers family, owners of the property between the entrance and West Central Georgia Bank, asked the council to remain open to the possibility of cutting a driveway off southern Park Drive and selling the southern triangle. Neil Hightower, president of Community Enterprises, reminded councilmembers that the organization already had contributed approximately $800,000 to the existing park. Another $214,000 donated by the group is currently held in a city account designated for a “mutually agreed upon project” involving the park. The agreement originally involved the late Mayor Hays Arnold and a previous city administration. “Those funds belong to the City of Thomaston. Other than the letter with the mayor [Arnold], we have no control over those funds. Our request is strictly a request,” Hightower said. “We feel that both parts that were designed by a very prominent architect, Mr. Draper, should be preserved as an entrance to Silvertown, which is probably one of the best mill villages in the country.” “We would also like for people to be aware of the benefit of putting Silvertown on the National Register [of Historic Places],” Hightower added. “People can get tax advantages for improvements, and those who don’t can do anything they want with their property. From my perspective, there appears to be no downside.” Mayor Pro-Tem Doug Head disagreed. “To say that there is no downside, I might take issue with that,” Head said. “I just don’t know what opportunity lies down the road and how it might be affected. If the south portion is included, in my mind there is a risk.” The property at the entrance is part of a donation from BFGoodrich. “Keep in mind that in the deed of three tracts donated to the city, tract number three is the crescent,” Kay Hightower said, referring to Park Drive and the two triangles at the entrance to Silvertown. “It’s not half the crescent, it’s the full crescent. That’s how they were given to the citizens, and that’s exactly how the deed reads.” “We want to work with the city officials, not against you. But we’re long-term residents here, and we have ideas about what the community should be and should not be,” Neil Hightower continued. “If we disagree, you’ll know about it. We hope we’ll agree most of the time, but we’ll be friends no matter how the chips fall.” Eddie Rogers, president of West Central Georgia and joint owner of the adjacent property, said his family has missed multiple opportunities to sell the tract because of restrictions or indecision regarding the south portion of the entrance. “We had the opportunity a couple of years ago to sell this property, and had several other chances with the other administration [Arnold] was in, and they said they didn’t think it would be approved,” Rogers told the council. “Each time we’ve had a developer come along, especially the last time, the sale was contingent upon them being able to buy the [south] triangle.” Rogers said his family has a vested interest in what type of development may locate next to the bank. “With us [WCG] being beside the property – the bank has an investment in the community as well – we’re trying to make sure that whatever goes there is a controlled development,” he explained. “Not something slapped in there that doesn’t complement the community.” “We’ve been trying to sell this property for 15 years, and each time somebody wanted the option to get closer to the corner. I’d have to tell them, ‘That’s up to the city’,” Rogers added. “We’re having to rent the property now just to pay the taxes. We’ve been paying taxes on it for 10 to 12 years with no income, so we have no choice.” Rogers urged the council to consider options and not prohibit the possibility of selling the southern triangle, saying, “Something great may come along.” Hightower addressed the council once more. “I understand his concerns, but we think our concerns are just as important,” he said. “We have a letter from the CEO of BFGoodrich confirming the reason they donated that property. It was not to help a commercial property right next door. It was zoned to protect it as an entrance to an important village that we hope one day will be on the National Register.” Thompson told councilmembers an additional $15,500 would be required for a materials tester and $25,000 would be required for a resident inspector during the project. His recommendation was to award the base bid and use $117,000 in city funds to match, continue conversations with both parties regarding the south entrance, then add options as council deems appropriate. Councilman Don Greathouse cast the only “no” vote.

T-Town Fall​Festival Was ‘SpookTacular’

Published 11-7-2019 With the smell of popcorn and the sound of laughter in the air, hundreds of children and families enjoyed the T-Town Fall Festival last weekend. The festival included carnival rides, rock climbing, a costume contest, and more. The Joy FM had a tent along with several local churches. Sponsors included New Life Church, Silvertown Baptist Church, Twice the Ice, Northridge Church, Clark’s Chapel Baptist Church, RUSH Ministries, City of Thomaston and Thomaston Main Street.

Tolen Charged with Vehicular Homicide For March 18 Death of Sue Grubbs

Published 11-7-2019 Christopher Daryl Tolen of Macon has been charged with homicide by vehicle in the first degree following a lengthy Georgia State Patrol investigation into a March 18 pedestrian accident that claimed the life of Sue Self Grubbs of Upson County. Along with the felony, Tolen also is charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and or controlled substance, weaving over roadway and expired license. According to reports, Grubbs left her vehicle parked in her driveway at 3280 Highway 74 East at approximately 5:15 p.m. March 18 to check her mail. Tolen, traveling west in a silver 2005 Saturn Vue, left the roadway’s south shoulder and struck Grubbs near her mailbox. His vehicle continued moving, striking a culvert, then overturned. Grubbs was pronounced deceased at the scene of the accident near the intersection of Highway 74 and Trinity Road. Tolen was transported to Upson Regional Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. Grubbs served as secretary for the Upson Historical Society for 13 years and was the sister of Thomaston surveyor Gary Self.

Incumbent Mayor Stallings Will Serve Four More Years

Published 11-7-2019 The City of Thomaston mayor will serve four more years going into the new decade. J.D. Stallings (Republican) defeated his Democrat opponent Jolee Benton in the city election Tuesday. Stallings earned 426 votes (77.45 percent of those who voted) and Benton had 124 votes (22.55 percent). Registered voter turnout was very low with only 550 votes cast (10.3 percent) out of 5,351. Early voting numbers came in with only 3.9 percent turnout, 211 votes cast. Stallings led with 168 votes and Benton had 43. Mayor J.D. Stallings commented on victory, stating, “I want to thank the citizens of Thomaston for trusting me as their mayor for another four years. It is very humbling to have the support of the community.”

Sprewell Bluff’s Spooky Trail is a Howling Success

Published 10-31-2019by Bridge Turner More than 700 visitors from 23 different towns attended Sprewell Bluff Park’s “Spooky Trail” held Friday, Oct. 18, the furthest traveling all the way from Fort Valley. Trail scenes included “The Purge,” “torture chamber,” “clown family,” “butcher shop,” and “campsite massacre,” along with five different games available for young children to win candy. Thurston Volunteer Fire Department offered barbecue at the overlook deck. “Everything went off without a hitch,” according to Park Coordinator Sarah Williams. “The majority of our volunteers dressed in costume and looked fantastic. Everyone put in a lot of time and hard work to make this happen.”

County Passes on DNR Grant for Sprewell Bluff

Published 10-31-2019By Bridge Turner Upson County commissioners took no action last week to secure a possible $1.2 million grant from the Department of Natural Resources for upgrades to Sprewell Bluff Park, allowing the Oct. 31 deadline for application to pass. Commissioners expressed the need for more time to acquire additional information about the project, which could cost the county as much as $400,000 in matching funds to acquire the state grant. DNR introduced the “Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program” grant in September, according to Recreation Director Mindy Daniel, who worked with county staff and consultant Precision Planning, Inc. to design a proposed comprehensive plan for the project. When applying for the grant, the county is required to commit a minimum of 25 percent of the total cost in local funds. In a presentation to commissioners, Daniel said estimated cost of the project is between $1.5-1.6 million, which includes design and engineering fees and the following:•A 500-seat amphitheater with additional parking and bathroom facilities;•Outdoor classrooms with learning stations to promote student interaction, including a pavilion, bathrooms, and additional parking;•An enhanced Trading Post retail store and observation area;•A maintenance building to store equipment necessary for park upkeep;•Road widening to accommodate recreational vehicles and increased traffic;•Additional parking space, including handicap access, for day-to-day park activity and special events;•A suspension bridge across the Flint River connecting Upson and Meriwether counties;•Additional kiosks and signage for trail marking to identify wildlife, vegetation, and history of the area;>River and beach area improvement, including new bathrooms;>Primitive camping areas;>And a long-term RV site. The suspension bridge is a key component necessary to secure the grant, according to Daniel, because it would “improve the experience by connecting people and places,” a goal of the DNR. She added that bathroom facilities are listed as the top complaint among park visitors, whose only current options are nature or portable units in the river and beach area. No power or water may be connected to bathrooms in that area, so new facilities would require solar operation and removal of waste. Walk-in or “float-in” primitive camping areas may or may not have bathrooms, picnic tables, or garbage receptacles, depending on future design decisions. The long-term RV site for “park-hoppers” is a concept used in other parks with a high rate of success, Daniel explained. The visitors, usually couples, are allowed to stay for weeks or months at no charge in exchange for providing after-hours services when park employees are not available. County Manager Jason Tinsley told commissioners the annual maintenance and operational budget for the park is approximately $450,000 and his “conservative” estimate is that figure would double after the design changes were made. He added that ideally, an economic impact study should be conducted to determine how much of that cost could be offset by increased revenue. “It’s a great master plan, and I’m pleased with the results,” he said, “but the M&O costs haven’t been determined. I’m sure we could make up some money on fee structure, store sales and events, but we don’t know how much return we’d get on our investment.” Several commissioners agreed that an economic impact study and operational cost estimate should be conducted before moving forward. “We have to be good stewards of the taxpayers’ money,” Commissioner James Ellington said. “I can’t choke this amount of money down without knowing what’s going to happen in the future. Are my property taxes going to go up because some commissioner sat up here and took something for free, and now we have to maintain it for the next hundred years? I can’t support this tonight.” Certain fees are regulated through a lease with the state, but cost for activities on the county’s portion of the 90-plus acre park could be determined locally. “This is some great work. Regardless of what we do here tonight, there is nothing wasted,” said Commission Chairman Norman Allen. “We have an updated master plan, great feedback from our advisory committee, staff, and tourism assessment. I think we have a very viable application when we submit it, and I think if we had an impact study, it would strengthen our package even more.” “Sprewell Bluff is our jewel in this county, and we need to be very smart in how we proceed with this,” Allen continued. “We have great information here, but it sounds like we have more questions. This is not a step backward, it’s a step forward. We just need to workshop this some more. We still have work to do.” No motion was made on the grant resolution.

Council Ponders $1.45 Million Park Project

Local children on the playground at Greatest Generation Park.

Published 10-24-2019By Bridge Turner The Thomaston City Council is considering a $1.455 million bid from Earthscape Designs, Inc. for landscape improvements to Greatest Generation Memorial Park. Earthscape’s bid was the lowest of two received and is broken into five categories, a base bid and four alternates reflecting various aspects of the proposed design. City Manager Russell Thompson told councilmembers that Community Enterprises, Inc. of Thomaston offered to donate to the project if the city agreed to exclude two of the four options from the project. Option “A” involves partial closure of the northern portion of Park Drive at a cost of $46,700, and option “B” allows for elaborate brick work at the entrance to Silvertown for $479,200. Thompson said Community Enterprise officials voiced concern that road closure and brick work may adversely affect the historical integrity of the community. Excluding the two options would reduce overall project cost by almost $526,000. In turn, the local enterprise may pick up the tab for one of the two remaining alternates, listed at $156,800 and $184,800. The “base” portion of the bid is $587,300. Thompson told councilmembers the city currently has $118,000 in its park fund, $214,000 in the enterprise fund, $215,000 in reserves, and $520,000 in federal funding, totaling more than $1 million. He said he would make a formal recommendation to the council at the first November meeting. One other bid was received for the project, from Greene Concrete Company, for $2.76 million. In other money matters, Thompson sought approval of funds to purchase a passenger van for the local prison work detail. He explained that existing vans are in poor condition and one was recently wrecked, and said officials have “pulled the crews” until appropriate transportation is provided. The council approved up to $31,000 to purchase a new van, if necessary, but asked Thompson to use his discretion in searching for an acceptable used vehicle at a lower price. Members voted to approve an Electric Cities of Georgia year-end settlement and contract payment reimbursement in the form of a $6,709 refund check to the city; and voted to approve extension of a GEFA loan for local “clean water” storm drain projects to July 2020.

City Plans to Break Ground on New FD by Spring

A rendering of the southeast view of the proposed new fire department.

Published 10-24-2019By Bridge Turner The Thomaston City Council approved payment of $150,000 to 2WR + Partners Architects last week, moving a step closer toward construction of a new fire department. The Columbus-based firm submitted updated plans for the proposed complex, to be built on a five-acre tract of city-owned property at 109 North Church Street. The architectural fee is based on six percent of an estimated cost of $2.5 million for the project, according to City Manager Russell Thompson. The site previously was shared by the Thomaston Police Department, Upson County Sheriff’s Office and Upson County Jail, and is current home to the local pardons and parole board office. In May, the council discussed the possibility of eventually expanding the project to include TPD in a “public safety complex.” The new location would allow favorable reaction time to both the Northside and downtown areas, according to TFD Chief Renee Harris, who said the department has outgrown its current facility on West Thompson Street. The city’s new 107-foot ladder truck will not fit into the bay of the existing structure. Construction could begin as early as March 2020, according to Thompson. Mayor J.D. Stallings administered the oath of office to TFD Firefighter Nena Huckaby at the meeting.

Burn Permits Now Available

Published 10-24-2019​ The Georgia Forestry Commission has announced that burn permits are now available in Upson and surrounding counties. “Due to the recent rains and the forecast for more rain in the next week, the GFC has resumed issuing outdoor burning permits,” according to Chief Ranger Jeff Kenerly, district safety officer for GFC. “We still need several inches of rainfall to end the drought, but we feel that with the increase in fuel moisture most outdoor burning can be conducted safely.” “We would like to thank the public for their cooperation during the past two weeks,” he continued. “Most everyone in our counties understood the drought situation and the potential threat of wildfires. Please continue to be careful with fire and always obtain a permit before conducting any outdoor burning.” Anyone with questions can call the local office at 706-646-6011 or visit the GFC website www.gatrees.org.

Allen Appointed to NAHRO National Leadership Group

Published 10-17-2019 The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials has appointed Patricia A. Allen to serve a two-year term on the national International Research and Global Exchange Committee as of Oct. 13. Allen has been the executive director of the Thomaston Housing Authority for six years. Prior to obtaining the director’s position, she served 14 years with the Barnesville and Jackson housing authorities. She currently serves on, and is chair or vice chair of, several committees with the Georgia Association of Housing and Redevelopment Authorities, and the Southeast Regional Council of NAHRO. Allen holds a bachelor’s degree from Mercer University and several NAHRO certifications. “Now, more than ever, leadership counts,” said incoming NAHRO President Sunny Shaw. “That is why we are glad to have Patricia among our national leaders. Patricia’s experience and dedication will help further NAHRO’s mission – to provide its members with the resources they need to create and maintain affordable housing and nurture sustainable, vibrant communities nationwide.” The IRGE committee promotes and shares global exchanges of information and develops relationships that assist NAHRO membership and all those engaged in the development and operation of housing and community development programs. IRGE committee members serve as NAHRO’s ambassadors for goodwill, relationship building and information sharing with organizations with a similar mission around the world. NAHRO, established in 1933, is a membership organization of nearly 20,000 housing and community development agencies and professionals throughout the United States whose mission is to create affordable housing and safe, viable communities that enhance the quality of life for all Americans, especially those of low and moderate income. NAHRO’s membership administers more than three million housing units for 7.6 million people.

Lady Knights Win Region

Published 10-17-2019 In the Lady Knights’ first season under new head coach Christopher Owens, the team battled through 15 sets of volleyball last Saturday to win Region 2-AAAA and clinch the number one seed in the state playoffs. See more on Page 10. Photo courtesy of the Thomaston-Upson Board of Education.

County’s ‘Blight Project’ Moves Forward

Before: A dilapidated structure at 1982 Miller Street is condemned.

During: Flint Sight Solutions demolishes and removes the structure.

After: Land is graded and restored, and a bill is sent to the owner.

Published 10-17-2019​Property owners, take note. The Upson County Building and Zoning Department and code enforcement officials are taking steps to insure that abandoned and/or dilapidated structures in the county are either upgraded or removed in compliance with existing ordinances. If owners fail to act, the county will remove the structures, and owners will be held responsible for the cost. County officials initiated the “blight project” months ago, identifying and creating a list of abandoned and dilapidated structures throughout the county. Letters have or are in the process of being sent to the property owners, and copies of notices also are posted on the properties stating they are “condemned and unsafe.” In accordance with the ordinance, property owners are given a certain time period to comply or file an appeal. If no action is taken, the county is authorized to demolish structures at the owner’s expense. In addition, citations may be issued to current owners. Upson County started the project by identifying its own questionable properties and taking necessary steps to upgrade or remove them. The first demolition project took place at 1982 Miller Street, where a condemned structure was removed and land was cleaned by Flint Sight Solutions. Others will follow if property owners fail to take responsibility, according to county officials.

Woodard Crowned Homecoming Queen

Published 10-10-2019 Upson Lee Senior Brittany Woodard was crowned Homecoming Queen during halftime of the Upson Lee High School Homecoming Game at Matthews Field Friday night. Woodard is pictured beside Bobby Childs.

Construction Advances at New Dunkin’ Donuts/Baskin Robbins Location

Published 10-3-2019 Crews continue work at the site of the new Dunkin’ Donuts/Baskin Robbins restaurant and have now added framing on the site. With projections to invest $1.4 million and create 35 new jobs locally, the restaurant could open as early as December.

No Burn Permits for Upson

Drought Conditions Increase Wildfire Threat Throughout StatePublished 10-3-2019 Due to severe drought conditions, weather forecasts and current fire activity, the Georgia Forestry Commission has postponed issuing burn permits in Upson, Pike, Lamar, Spalding and Clayton counties. The Environmental Protection Division’s summer burning restrictions ended Sept. 30. Normally, burn permits for the area could have been obtained starting Oct. 1, but the number of Georgia wildfires and the amount of acreage burned has increased in September. The Georgia Forestry Commission recognizes the importance of and promotes prescribed burning for the many wildfire prevention, forest management and agriculture benefits it provides. However, right now the commission is asking everyone to “be extremely vigilant when doing any open burning and to wait for better conditions for burning yard debris.” Conditions will be monitored closely in each county and, as soon as conditions improve, officials will begin issuing permits. “These have to be the driest conditions that I have seen at this time of the year,” stated Chief Ranger Jeff Kenerly. “We have had the drought index hit 750 before in Lamar County, but at this time the KBDI is over 700 for all five of our unit’s counties.” The Keetch-Byrom Drough index is a measurement of available moisture in the soil, and the KBDI scale runs from zero to 800. Anyone with questions can call the local office at 706-646-6011 or check burning conditions at the GFC website www.gatrees.org.

Community Care Donates $1 Million in 10 Years

Community Care Thrift Store, located on Short E Street in Thomaston.

Published 10-3-2019​By Luke Haney In only 10 years, the Community Care Thrift Store has been able to make donations of more than $1 million to the Thomaston-Upson community. Betty Goins began working with the House of Care in 2006 as a volunteer donations processor. In 2007 she accepted the director position. Through this she was able to learn about the donation process and how to handle items. In 2008, several members of the HOC visited a thrift store in Forsyth. After taking many notes and observing the process, members decided that they had the ability to create their own thrift store. Goins decided, in March of 2009, that she wanted to begin a new ministry and she thought that a new thrift store would benefit the community. While still under First Baptist Church, Goins saw this as an opportunity to increase the benevolence fund. The missions team gave Goins information on how to start the ministry and what “hoops” needed to be jumped through. She also reached out to the Thomaston-Upson Chamber of Commerce during her research period to gather as much information as possible. After months of working on forms, a business plan and an approved budget, Goins was able to secure a loan of $5,000 and had donations of $250. While looking over the donations, she realized that it was exactly the amount that was required for her three-month operation budget. In addition to this, many blessings were received. All shelving that was in the original layout of the building was donated to the project, along with a cash register and materials. In August of 2009, the Community Care Thrift Store opened its doors and since then has grown to surpass all expectations. “What started as a way to fund one benevolence fund now donates to many organizations,” says Goins. Organizations that have received donations from the Community Care Thrift Store include UCMA CAP; UCMA Transient Fund; Soup Kitchen; Heritage Pregnancy Center; House of Care: food, equipment; Cancer Car Ministry; New Life Summer Program; New Life Jail Ministry; Camp Joy CDP; THA Homework Academy; Gilmore Center; Food for Thought; Empty Stocking Fund; Christmas Kitchen; Thanksgiving Dinner; SERTOMA Back to School; and S.U.P.P.O.R.T. Betty Goins is adamant that this could never have been done alone. This was made possible through the immense support she has been given. Volunteers and employees work tirelessly to ensure that each donation and every customer is cared for in the best manner possible.

Upson-lee High's Graduation Rate Well Above State Average

Published 9-26-2019 Upson Lee High School has exceeded the state average graduation rate for the fifth consecutive year, posting a 90.9 percent rate compared to the state average of 82 percent, according to the Georgia Department of Education. Thomaston-Upson’s 2019 rate ranks second in the Griffin Regional Educational Service Agency District, surpassed only by Pike County’s 92.9 percent graduation rate. Pike and Upson are followed in the RESA district by Fayette at 90.2 percent, Griffin-Spalding at 88.6, Henry at 87, Newton at 86.9, Butts at 83.5, and Lamar at 83.3 percent. Data is collected using the “adjusted cohort calculation,” a uniform method of determining graduation rates required by the U.S. Department of Education. “I tracked back to when the {federal DOE} required all states and local education agencies to begin using the {current} method,” said Karen Truesdale, director of school and community relations at T-U School System, “and ULHS has risen from 64.5 percent in 2011 to 90.9 percent this year. I think this is fantastic news.”

UL NJROTC Receives “Outstanding” Grade in Yearly Inspection

Published 9-26-2019 The Upson Lee NJROTC color guard (Lee Ingram, Jessica Robinson, Colleen King, Camden Bates) presents the national colors at the annual Area Managers Inspection parade. Leading the sword salute is Cadet Lieutenant Commander Grace Geldbach, battalion executive officer. See more in next week’s edition of The Beacon.

35 Missing Scouts Found Unharmed at Sprewell Bluff

Published 9-26-2019 Thirty-five Boy Scouts from Troop 143 in Johns Creek, Ga. were reported missing on Flint River Saturday, but all 35 were located and sent home without injury, according to a report from the Upson County Sheriff’s Office. Thomas Wagner, an employee at Camp Thunder, told Sgt. Derric Pearson he launched the 35 scouts on the river at approximately 9 a.m. and that he lost contact with the group at Pasley Shoals. The scouts had split into two smaller groups, one stopping near Pasley Shoals and the other continuing down the river. Sgt. Pearson contacted Richard Hickmon of Thurston Fire, Search and Rescue for assistance. Wagner later was able to make contact with one troop leader, who said he and 16 scouts were at a residence near Pasley Shoals. Hickmon and Thurston Rescue were dispatched to the location and retrieved the group. Pearson located the remaining 19 scouts near the “back side” of Sprewell Bluff. “We collected all the scouts and equipment and conducted a head count to ensure everyone was accounted for,” Pearson said in his report. “After everyone was loaded on the bus and the equipment was loaded, the scouts and scout leaders returned to Camp Thunder. All the scouts appeared to be in good spirits.”

Reynolds to Serve 25 Years for Spraggins’ April Murder

Published 9-26-2019By Bridge Turner Jackie Lee Reynolds entered a guilty plea this month in Upson Superior Court and was sentenced by Judge Fletcher Sams to serve 25 years in prison in connection with the April 10 death of 25-year-old Kyle James Spraggins. Reynolds, 22, originally charged with murder, pled to a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter plus possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. He received 20 years to serve for manslaughter, plus five years to serve for possession of a firearm during the crime. The reduced charge was accepted after consulting with the victim’s family and law enforcement, according to Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Ben Coker. Reynolds and Spraggins had been arguing about drugs and a 9mm pistol, according to reports, when Reynolds shot Spraggins at 1748 Hendricks Church Road in Thomaston. Recent arrests reported by the Upson County Sheriff’s Office include: Jessica Marie Wealot, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute; Nigel Latrell Adams, aggravated assault; Kirstin Laquan Beckham, aggravated assault; Michael Charles Pennyman, felony probation violation (child molestation); Shantara Chante Lyons, possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, felony probation violation; Christy Lynell McKinley, felony probation violation (possession of meth); Scotty Geron Zellner, felony probation violation (possession of meth); Stephanie Nicole Bell, felony parole violation (possession of meth); Christopher Scott Crumley, possession of a Schedule II controlled substance; Stephanie Nicole Decosta, criminal damage to property – 2nd degree; Jeffery Oneal Matthews, felony probation violation; Lemarcus Deondris Parks, felony parole violation.

Mr. and Miss Upson Lee Announced

Published 9-19-2019 Congratulations to Mr. and Miss Upson-Lee High School 2019-20: Jaylen King and McKenzie Smith. Mr. and Mrs. Upson Lee are voted in every school year by their classmates. Shown, left to right, are TU Superintendent Dr. Larry Derico, Jaylen King, McKenzie Smith and ULHS Principal Dr. Jarvis Price.

Bizarre Accident Claims Life

City of Thomaston's Utilities Payment Drop-Off

Published 9-19-2019​By Bridge Turner A bizarre accident Sept. 6 at the Government Complex utility payment drive-thru resulted in the death of an 84-year-old Thomaston woman. After her SUV lunged forward and struck a pole, Bettie Jo Barfield Allen of 4th Avenue remained pinned by her vehicle door for several minutes before being noticed. She died four days later at Navicent Health Medical Center in Macon from injuries sustained in the accident. Mrs. Allen would have celebrated her 85th birthday Sept. 15. “The city offers our most sincere and deepest sympathies for the family during this time of their loss,” said City Manager Russell Thompson. “This was a tragic accident, and we will continue to keep the family in our prayers.” Video footage at the drive-thru facility showed Allen unfastening her seat belt and opening her vehicle door to retrieve the payment canister. She dropped the canister and leaned down to pick it up, at which time her vehicle began to move forward and she fell partially out of the door. Her head struck two concrete posts, and she was pinned by the door and a post. It is likely that she did not place her vehicle in park, and that her foot slipped off the brake when she leaned out the door, according to a Thomaston Police Department report. Video showed a black SUV pulling into the lane behind Allen’s vehicle, then backing out and leaving the area. It is unknown whether the driver of the SUV was able to see Allen because of the position of her body, the vehicle door, and the post, the report stated. Minutes later, Marcus Bussey of Thomaston drove his gold SUV into the same lane behind Allen and immediately left his vehicle to render aid. As Bussey was attempting to free Mrs. Allen, video showed multiple people running out of the building to help, and showed Emergency Medical Service arriving at the scene. Allen was transported to Upson Regional Medical Center, and later was transferred to Macon. The Georgia statute regarding rendering aid applies only to parties involved in an accident, according to TPD Chief Mike Richardson. Someone simply witnessing a dire situation, without being involved in the incident, cannot be charged with failure to render aid. The video feed at the utility payment area of City Hall is stored directly to DVR, and is not monitored by anyone, according to city officials.

dunkin' breaking ground

Published 9-12-2019 Crews began work this week on construction of a Dunkin’ Donuts restaurant which is projected to invest $1.4 million and create 35 new jobs in Thomaston. The site is between Waffle House and McDonald’s in the Northcreek Shopping Center. The new restaurant could open as soon as December.

Counterfeit Bills Discovered at Local Businesses

Published 9-12-2019By Bridge Turner The Thomaston Police Department received five separate reports of counterfeit $20, $50, and $100 bills being circulated at local businesses between Tuesday and Thursday last week. Most of the counterfeit money was discovered in the Northside area, but one $100 note was used to pay a power bill at Upson Electric Membership Corporation. Alerts started with a call to SouthCrest Bank around 3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3. A teller at SouthCrest told Officer Douglas Miolen that a male and female driving a silver Cadillac SUV left the bank after inquiring about the authenticity of several counterfeit $20 and $50 bills. The vehicle was located at Big Chic Uptown, where the driver, Dennis Sanders, and passenger, Serenity Norton, were questioned by officers. Norton told Miolen that she received the money from her brother, who had gotten it from “someone else” she “did not know,” according to the report. Norton added that she went to the bank to ask a teller if the money was fake. Sanders, the driver, said he “had nothing to do with them and was giving Norton a ride for gas money.” Nine $20 bills and two $50 bills were confiscated. At 7:15 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4, Officer Dekota Riddick was dispatched to K Beauty Supply, 1106 Highway 19 North. Store manager Belinda Underwood told Riddick that a white male wearing a white Nike tank top and black hat purchased a do-rag using a counterfeit $100 bill, according to the report. The bill was placed into evidence. On Thursday, Sept. 5, three instances were reported, beginning at 2:35 p.m. at Dollar Tree in the Walmart Shopping Center. Store manager Ashley Eaton told Patrolman Hakeim Griggs that her assistant manager, India Willis, received notice from the bank that a counterfeit $100 bill was discovered in the store’s deposit. According to Dollar Tree staff, the person who passed the bill was “a male who appeared to be bi-racial or Hispanic. The second call Thursday came at 3 p.m., when Sgt. Whitney Lawrence was dispatched to Hibbet Sports, located in the same shopping center. An employee there told Lawrence that the “light-skinned” male subject wearing the Nike shirt and hat “seen on Facebook” used a counterfeit $100 bill to buy a $10 shoe cleaning kit the previous day. The subject was given change for the fake $100, according to the report. Lawrence was dispatched again at 4 p.m. Thursday to Upson EMC, where Tina Grossman said a customer had paid a $222 power bill using two $100 bills, one of which was counterfeit. When questioned, the customer said she received the bill from United Bank in Walmart. After further investigation, TPD determined that the woman had no knowledge of the counterfeit bill. Anyone with information regarding the distribution of counterfeit bills is asked to call the TPD at 706-647-5455.

City, County & IDA to Form Work Group for Sewage Study

Published 9-5-2019By Bridge Turner Members of three local governing bodies agreed last week to form a work group to answer multiple questions surrounding wastewater service delivery to Technology Park and other potential industrial locations in the county. City and county managers, along with members of the city council and county commission, gathered at the Industrial Development Authority meeting to discuss a proposal from the city to accommodate sewage needs at the park. The talk ended in a stalemate. IDA members expressed the need to know how much wastewater capacity is available before they actively recruit industry, and City Manager Russell Thompson said he needs more specific information about a potential industry before he can provide the requested estimates. “You tell us what we have, and what you can accommodate today,” said Upson County Commission Chairman Norman Allen, who also sits on the IDA board. “I can tell you what you can accommodate once you bring me a prospect and I understand the load,” Thompson replied. “What you told us at our last meeting was that we had none,” Allen responded. “From a hydraulic loading, based on the last analysis, you’re tapped out,” Thompson said. What I’m saying is if I’m going to have to make capital improvements to the system, to ensure the location of a new development, I want to make sure it’s a good business case for the city.” The exchange was sparked by a letter from Mayor J.D. Stallings to IDA Chair Carson Gleaton, in which the city outlined its proposed solution to service provision at Technology Park. In the letter, the city offered 1,000 gallons per day of guaranteed sewage capacity for every $10,235 the IDA contributes to a “crossover project” involving Bell Creek and Town Branch facilities. Cost of the crossover project is approximately $2 million, according to the letter. “As we stand, the city is looking at about a $5.3 million project at Town Branch and the interceptor pipe that would connect to the transfer pipe,” Thompson said. “It’s a total of $7.5 million if all that goes through.” The proposal also included a stipulation that the IDA participate financially in future capital repairs and improvements to the Town Branch facility. The IDA is funded through contributions from the city and county. “The IDA has no possible way to generate its own revenue, so how could the IDA commit to an agreement to participate in maintenance and operations cost? That’s a real problem,” IDA member Steve Rush said. “I think that once we buy capacity, that should be it for us. Maintenance should be included in the agreement.” The proposal is contingent upon the city and county reaching an agreement with respect to sharing ad valorem revenue generated by development in Technology Park, according to the letter, which was drafted by Joel Bentley. During the discussion, Bentley, who serves as attorney for both the city and IDA, recused himself from further negotiation. “I have an absolute conflict of interest. I can’t participate in negotiation between the parties,” Bentley said. “I’ll be happy to tell you what the law is regarding intergovernmental agreements, but I’ll have to recuse myself from anything further.” Bentley said he had spoken with County Attorney Paschal English, and that English offered to draft the IDA’s portion of a future agreement. The maximum capacity offered in the city’s proposal is 150,000 gallons per day, and the letter states that IDA future requests for discharge will “need to be coordinated carefully” with the city. “What about timing,” Rush asked. “If we wrote a check today and said we want 150,000 gallons of capacity, when do we receive that?” “If you wrote a $500,000 check today, I’m $1.7 million short,” Thompson replied. “I would then have to ask my city council if they wanted to invest the other, or if they want to wait until we have financial commitment to fund the whole thing.” “So basically we wouldn’t have anything until the funding was understood and identified. And that may or may not happen,” Rush said. “I’m not sure of the value of this to us.” “What do we have… It’s somewhere between zero and ‘we might can squeeze something out, depending on what you bring here’,” Allen asked. “Correct,” Thompson responded. “With the right investment, and with the right jobs, we’ll service anything.” Any new industrial development outside the park, but within the city limits, would be subject to capacity approval by the city, but would not require IDA participation in funding, according to Thompson. He added that completion of the project to increase sewage capacity would take 10 months from acquisition of funding, provided federal money is not needed. “This obviously is going to be a very long conversation,” concluded Allen,” and I don’t know that we’re going to get there today.” Also present at the meeting were Mayor Pro-tem Doug Head, city councilmembers Don Greathouse and Lakeitha Reeves, and county commissioners James Ellington and Benjamin Watson.

City Adopts Millage Rates With No Increases for ‘19

Published 8-28-2019​By Bridge Turner Councilmembers voted unanimously last week to approve setting the city millage rate at 3.56 for 2019, reflecting no increase over the previous year’s property taxation. The millage rate funds general operation of city government. Council also voted unanimously to maintain the joint projects millage rate at 4.89 for endeavors shared by the city and Upson County. Holding at last year’s rate will create a $126,000 deficit, according to City Manager Russell Thompson, but joint project fund balance reserves can be used to offset the difference. In other money matters, the council approved a low bid of $48,900 from Pippin & Associates of Gainesville for installation of various sidewalks throughout the city; and approved the execution of an agreement with the city engineer which reflects an $8,000 per month retainer. Councilmembers moved a step closer to a completed agreement with the county regarding sewage delivery by approving a modification to the 1995 intergovernmental contract. Both entities have expressed willingness to compromise in order to resolve local wastewater issues. The council directed City Attorney Joel Bentley to draft paperwork allowing certain tracts of city property, deemed too small to be zoned for any type of construction, to be offered for sale to adjacent property owners. The group approved authorization of a community service work program, which frequently is incorporated in sentencing for offenders committing less serious crimes. While voting yes, councilmember Don Greathouse stressed the need to implement the program correctly. “I want to ensure that they’re working, and we’re not just marking hours for them being here,” Greathouse said. “When this program was started in 1988, it was a very well-run program. I want us to get back to those days.”

Thomaston Mills Plays Key Role in Philly-based Company’s New Venture

Employees at the local Thomaston Mill facility.

Published 8-28-2019By Bridge TurnerManaging Editor Employees at Thomaston Mills are part of a new challenge for the plant’s sister company, ATD-American, which recently announced a trend change from wholesale to retail for its new line of organic cotton sheets, American Blossom. The plant located at 900 North Hightower Street, which employs almost 100 area residents, represents the final phase of a process that begins with organic cotton grown in Texas. The cotton is spun (weaved) into rolls of fabric in North Carolina, then shipped to Georgia for cutting, sewing and packaging sheet sets in the Thomaston facility. The name Thomaston Mills, the brands, trademarks, and local sewing operation were purchased by ATD-American in 2001, according to the company’s owner and managing partner, Janet Wischnia, and president, Robert Zaslow. But the employees were the most valuable acquisition, the duo agreed. “When we came to Thomaston, we relied on the existing employees to help us through the process,” Wischnia and Zaslow said in in telephone interview from their Philadelphia headquarters. “They are a very knowledgeable group of people. We did this together, as a team.” Wischnia said she plans to visit the local plant in the coming weeks. “We’re off to a strong start. The reception has been excellent,” she said of the American Blossom line. “We hope to be successful enough to expand the operation.” Expansion could mean more jobs and a boost to the local economy. “We try to be good corporate citizens,” Zaslow said, noting the company’s involvement with the community. “We’ve participated in several charitable efforts, the last being relief for the tornado victims in the Talbotton area.”The idea for American Blossom originated from Wischnia trying a heavyweight fabric that Thomaston Mills previously had manufactured for a company in Canada.

Editor’s note: The following story is reprinted from The Philadelphia Enquirer website:By Diane Mastrull Janet Wischnia has been working in her family’s wholesale bedding and bath linens business, ATD-American, for nearly half of its 88-year history, 10 years as its president. About to turn 60 in August, the grandmother of three was itching for a new challenge within the company. She found it by venturing way out of ATD-American’s comfort zone, launching in January a line of U.S.-made sheets created from 100 percent organic cotton grown in West Texas for sale direct to consumers online. That’s right, a company started the year that Al Capone was convicted of tax fraud and a dozen eggs cost 18 cents is vying for customers in today’s social-media-driven retail environment, where so-called influencers – those with big online audiences – can make or break a business with a blog post of YouTube video review. “You can’t be afraid to change. It’s scary, but it’s also fun,” Wischnia said recently about her new “baby,” American Blossom Linens, which she’s overseeing from ATD-American’s headquarters in Wyncote. “It’s good to learn new things.” Selling anything but wholesale is not something that ATD-American or its sister company, Thomaston Mills, has done in about 60 years – ever since Wischnia’s father, Jerome Zaslow, and his brothers Arnold and Spencer changed course for a business their parents started in 1931 as Jaffe’s Art Linens, a storefront in what was Philadelphia’s garment district. A couple of years ago, Wischnia decided it was again time for something new. She took her cues, in part, from Donald Trump.“With the political climate, the current president, Made in USA is more out there, people seem to think about it a little bit more than they did before,” Wischnia said. “When we saw that trend and the whole environmental trend, the trend for people wanting products made out of organic fibers, we thought we would give a try at creating a product and doing direct-to-consumer.”In a sense, there was a feeling they had little to lose. “Not a lot of people have gone into American textile manufacturing recently thinking it’s a great new career. We needed to get better at all of these things and change,” Tim Voit, chief marketing officer at ATD-American and Thomaston Mills, said of setting out to make “the greenest, most sustainable product out there when we saw that there was a niche in the retail market.” American Blossom sheets are made from cotton grown in Texas and spun in North Carolina. Weaving is done in South Carolina and cutting and sewing at the Thomaston Mills plant in {Thomaston} Georgia, founded in 1899 and a part of what Wischnia said her family bought out of bankruptcy in 2001. Thank you cards tucked into every American Blossom order describe a product that is “100 percent American – from farm to bed.” Wischnia said no other company is making organic linens in the United States, with most coming from India. Even some of ATD-American’s wholesale products are imported. The idea for American Blossom came from Wischnia trying a heavyweight fabric – as sheets go – that Thomaston Mills had made for a company in Canada and thinking it would be even better made with organic cotton. She came across the documentary The True Cost, which explores the clothes-making industry and its global impacts, which led her to a West Texas co-op of organic farmers and the cotton now being used by American Blossom. “It’s really fun learning new things,” Wischnia said, declining to disclose sales as a privately-held company, but acknowledging that American Blossom’s $289 queen set is “a lot more expensive” than cotton/polyester blend alternatives made overseas. She noted the set includes four pillowcases rather than the standard two, and features bigger and deeper sheets with wider-than-usual elastic. Consumers are willing to pay more for products from companies with “ethical business practices,” said Kathryn Kellogg, the San Francisco author of 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste. She cited a “new wave of consumerism” that favors ethically sourced and made products that don’t harm the environment. Alexandra Breines, 30, is a Brooklyn-based marketer specializing in new product launches, including American Blossom. While saying “all of Janet’s instincts are correct… people, millennials especially, we want products we can feel proud of,” Breines said the key to success for American Blossom “will be really building a community and engaging with that community.” That’s where influencers are key, such as the Daily Connoisseur blogger Jennifer L. Scott, author of the Madame Chic book series on lifestyle pointers, who also claims 50,000 subscribers to her YouTube channel. A Scott follower for five years who has bought products she has recommended, Wischnia reached out to her, asking if she would like to try American Blossom sheets. “I get a lot of those requests – I ignore 95 percent of them,” Scott said from her Southern California home. She, however, was charmed by Wischnia’s demonstration that she really had been a longtime reader. She was also impressed, she said, that the bedding was organic, American made, and high quality, and that “there were faces behind the company. It’s like a family and I really like that.” In all, ATD-American and Thomaston Mills employ 150 – 35 locally {in Pennsylvania}, the rest in Georgia and South Carolina. To use a bedding term, Wischnia has ambitious dreams for American Blossom, a line she envisions one day expanding to include towels and blankets. “The plan,” she said, “is to grow it big.”

Community Mourns Death of Hays Arnold

Published 8-21-2019 Former Thomaston mayor and businessman Hays L. Arnold, Jr. died at his home last Wednesday after a lengthy, hard-fought battle with cancer. He was 80. Arnold, who spearheaded the creation of Greatest Generation Memorial Park, was elected to three consecutive terms as mayor from 2003-2015. Upon his retirement from politics, the Georgia House of Representatives established House Resolution 791 to recognize his contributions. “The members of this body commend Hays Arnold for his commitment to improving the quality of life in the Thomaston-Upson County community,” the resolution stated, “and for demonstrating his love for his community.” Born in Thomaston, Arnold attended R.E. Lee Institute and graduated from Florida Southern College, where he was a founding chapter member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. He served in the Coast Guard Reserve, receiving an honorable discharge in 1968. A realtor, builder and developer, and local business owner, Arnold served as president of the Thomaston-Upson Chamber of Commerce, president of the Thomaston Board of Realtors, chairman of the T-U Transportation Committee, chairman of the T-U Office Building Authority, chairman of the board for the Three Rivers Regional Commission, and district president of the Georgia Municipal Association board of directors. In 2018, Arnold received the Boy Scouts of America Golden Eagle Award for his “exemplary leadership in politics, civics, and business, and loyalty to his scouting council.” He leaves his wife, Anna, four children and 11 grandchildren. A memorial service for Mr. Arnold will be held Sunday, Aug. 25 at 2 p.m. at The Gathering church, 456 Hannah’s Mill Road in Thomaston.

Moroz Graduates From F-15 Eagle Pilot Training

Published 8-14-2019By Bridge Turner​ First Lieutenant Christopher Moroz, a 2012 graduate of Upson Lee High School, graduated from F-15 Eagle Pilot training at Kingsley Air Force Base in Klamath Falls, Ore. On July 19. A 2016 Air Force Academy graduate, Moroz started Air Force undergraduate pilot training at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Okla. Pilot training is a rigorous, two-year program that starts with an initial flight training course in Pueblo, Colo. which includes ground school and learning to fly the Diamond DA20 light airplane. At Vance Air Force Base, comprehensive flight training begins in the T-6 Texas aircraft and progresses to flight training in the T-38 Talon supersonic jet trainer. Lt. Moroz earned his flight wings in February 2018 and was assigned to fly the F-15 Eagle. The next phase of pilot training included a fundamentals of fighter pilot training in the T-38 Talon at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas and a pilot SERE (survival, evasion, resistance, escape) course at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, Wash. Moroz completed the 12-month F-15 Eagle flight training course and earned the Distinguished Graduate Award. His first base assignment is Kandena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan as a member of the 18th Fighter Wing.

Who Will Pay for Highway 19 Pipe Relocation?

Published 8-14-2019By Bridge Turner Negotiation continues between Upson County and the Georgia Department of Transportation to determine who will pay for relocation of infrastructure currently underneath Highway 19 North, according to officials at a commission work session last week. In a July meeting, County Manager Jason Tinsley told commissioners that water distribution pipes more than 50 years old are located directly beneath the north corridor, which is undergoing an extensive widening project. According to the plan GDOT has in hand, there is no allowance for the estimated $1.5 million required to move the pipes. “GDOT said the project is the project, they have no more money for utility relocation,” said Chris Brazell, senior vice president of EMC Engineering Services, Inc. “They {GDOT} said the budget is the budget.” Brazell’s firm has estimated the “worst-case scenario” to relocate the pipes, along with new hydrants and other necessary upgrades, would be $1.5 million. He also echoed Tinsley’s earlier concern that leaving existing pipes in place would be costly down the road. “Not only are they {GDOT} not considering the age of the infrastructure… and things that make our system work a lot better, they’re leaving a lot of the existing pipe in the middle of the road, which is not a good idea,” Brazell said. “It’s going to become a maintenance nightmare if you have a rupture or need replacement.” Brazell’s suggested solution involves placing approximately 1,000 feet of 8-inch pipe and 6,000 feet of 12-inch pipe in the right-of-way to avoid future destruction of the newly-paved highway. But money is not the only concern. Engineers are determining how to relocate pipes without interrupting service to between 1,200 and 1,400 customers north of McDonald’s on the system. “The fix is not simple. This would not be hours of interruption, it would be days,” Brazell explained. “You cannot take that many people out of service for an extended amount of time with no option of backup. That’s a basic sanitation issue… there are legal implications.” Tinsley repeated his position that the problem should have been addressed previously. “County engineers and state engineers, none of which are part of this administration, both missed it,” he said. “I have never seen a project where they allowed the infrastructure to stay under a new state route. This was a first for me.” Tinsley and the engineers disagreed on whether talks are causing a delay in the widening project, with Tinsley saying the county had three to four weeks to make a decision and engineers claiming impact immediately. “I’m concerned about the rush,” Tinsley warned. “When you rush, sometimes it can be throwing good money after bad.”“There will be a capital outlay by someone,” Brazell said. “It’s a significant investment, but it’s the only way to be sure we can control that network. Unfortunately, GDOT’s stance is they’re taking no ownership in it, and that it’s the county’s responsibility.“Moving $1.5 million from the GDOT budget versus the Upson County budget… that’s a rounding area for those guys {GDOT},” Brazell continued. “It’s possible there have already been {multiple} $1.5 million change orders on this job. That’s just the nature of the beast in construction.” Commissioners discussed meeting further with GDOT officials and exploring the possibility of involving state representatives in negotiations. “So far, the level of communication has been high,” Tinsley concluded. “Hopefully it will continue to be this effort of collaboration.”

Roan’s Homer Helps Georgia top Florida in Little League Regional

Thomaston’s Will Roan has hit multiple home runs for the Georgia team during Little League World Series regional competition.

Published 8-7-2019By Bridge Turner Thomaston’s Will Roan crushed an over-the-fence solo home run in the top of the second inning Saturday in Warner Robins, sparking Georgia in a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over Florida in the Little League World Series Regionals. Roan also homered twice and drove in four runs in a previous game against West Virginia. Florida took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the opening frame when Jonah Peacock scored by way of a dropped third strike and wild pitch. Roan’s lead-off homer almost immediately erased the Georgia error, knotting the contest at 1-1 in the second. The game remained tied until Georgia’s Dillon Stiltner hit into a fielder’s choice in the top of the fourth inning. Florida’s second baseman Dominic Leoni opted to get the sure out at first base, allowing Kyle Rudolph to score from third for a 2-1 Georgia lead. Florida had a chance to tie the score in the bottom of the fourth, with Austin Marshall on third with two outs, but Brandon Reitner grounded out to end the threat. Joaquin Maldonado replaced Rudolph on the mound, and allowed only one Florida hit through the final two frames. Rudolph, who crossed the plate for the winning run, also finished as the game’s winning pitcher with three strikeouts through four innings of work.

Convicted Felons Apprehended

Zachery Glenn Rampley

James Rodney Owenby

Both Members of Violent White Supremacy GangPublished 8-7-2019​By Debbie McClain Last Wednesday two convicted felons, both members of a violent white supremacy gang, escaped from an inmate work detail while cutting grass in Thomaston. They walked off approximately 30 minutes before the guard noticed them missing and 45 minutes before local law enforcement agencies were notified. Zachery Glenn Rampley and James Rodney Owenby stole a City of Thomaston work truck and clothing from the City’s public works facility and made it to North Georgia before they were apprehended Thursday morning. The work detail was cutting grass on Veterans Drive when the guard noticed the inmates missing at approximately 11:45 a.m. He reported them missing to the Georgia State Corrections Department. Then around noon, the Department of Corrections contacted the Upson County 911 Dispatch Center, dispatch then notified the Thomaston Police Department and Upson County Sherriff’s Office. TPD Chief Richardson issued a press release notifying the public of the escape at 12:15 p.m. At that time, the only information given to Chief Richardson was Rampley’s and Owenby’s GSCI identification cards with photos marking them as medium security. During the investigation later that afternoon, the city’s public works surveillance camera revealed that the inmates actually took off at 11:15 a.m. That was also when city officials got the duo’s criminal backgrounds. Rampley and Owenby, both reported to be 27 years old, are members of a white supremacy gang known as GhostFace Gangsters. According to reports, both have been incarcerated for serious crimes prior to serving time at the Spalding County Correctional Institution. Rampley’s rap sheet consists of aggravated assault, burglary, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of meth with intent to distribute, willful obstruction of law enforcement and several driving violations. Owenby has been convicted of burglary twice, obstruction of an officer, making threats against an officer, criminal trespass and battery. The Daily Citizen News in Dalton reported on the escape and capture of Rampley and Owenby, along with three others who were arrested for helping them while they were in Whitfield County. Those arrested were Eddie Lee Davis Jr., 29, Rebecca Elizabeth McAllister, 27, of Chatsworth, and Thomas Milton Preavtte, 30, of Calhoun. ​Calhoun. Hundreds of residents posted concerns on the Beacon’s Facebook page as information about the inmates became available. Both Upson County and the City of Thomaston have temporarily suspended the work detail contracts with the Department of Corrections. Both press releases stated, “This suspension is intended to allow adequate time for SCCI staff to review operating procedures and security protocols to insure the program does not pose a safety risk to the community. Upson County Board of Commissioners staff, in consultation with the Upson County Sheriff’s Department, will make a recommendation to the board as to when SCCI inmate work detail services should resume.” Representative Ken Pullin said, “I spoke with the Department of Corrections concerning the escape of Owenby and Rampley and to review the departments’ procedures for inmates being placed on work detail. Below is a list of requirements that each inmate must pass. This is not an exhaustive list. Both offenders, Owenby and Rampley, had tentative parole dates of June 2020 and October 2019.- No inmate can have over 13 years remaining on their sentence- Inmates must be on minimum or medium security- No murder convictions- No more than 2 violent offenses- No sex offenders- No mental health issues- No escapes within the last 5 years- No recent disciplinary actions- No pending felony charges Each county also performs GCIC and NCIC checks on all offenders prior to placement on any outside detail. Further consideration is given based on work performance, attitude, and program participation on prior assignments. Both offenders were affiliated with the Ghostface Gangters gang, however neither inmate had been documented as problematic.” The United States Drug Enforcement Administration referred to the Ghost Face Gangsters as a “violent criminal street gang largely operated from inside Georgia’s prison system.” The gang has been linked to crimes outside of the prison walls across Georgia ranging from murder to drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms. The gang has been blamed for a deadly prison break where two officers were killed. The Beacon called Joan Heath, director of public affairs with the Georgia Department of Corrections, last week for a statement, but her mailbox was full and could not accept messages.

Water Pipe Relocation May Impact Highway 19 Project

Published 7-31-2019​By Bridge Turner An infrastructure issue is threatening to derail the Highway 19 North widening project, and Upson may be forced to share fiscal responsibility for the solution, according to a report from County Manager Jason Tinsley to the board of commissioners last week. The current design plan, already under way by the Georgia Department of Transportation, would widen and resurface the north corridor directly on top of 50-year-old water pipes under the existing highway. Leaving the outdated pipes in place would be a recipe for future headaches, Tinsley warned. “The main sections of that distribution line, which are mid-1960s infrastructure, would mostly remain under {Highway} 19,” Tinsley told commissioners. “If we had any major water main breaks, we would have to dig up a brand new highway.”Tinsley credited Water Superintendent Garrett Nordan for spotting the problem. In order to move the system from underneath pavement into the right of way, sections of the water lines would have to be isolated, which means they would be out of service for an extended period. The service outage, which would affect thousands of customers, would last for a minimum of two weeks for the project to move forward as planned. GDOT’s offices would be among those customers affected. “Isolating the system, the way it was designed, is not possible,” Tinsley said. “GDOT certainly didn’t seem interested in cutting off 2,000 of our water customers… so they’re very concerned about it. They admitted the 2014 plans should have been vetted better. In my experience with these type projects, we weren’t allowed to leave pipes under the road.” Engineers, contractors, GDOT officials and county staff all are working to find a solution, according to Tinsley, who reminded commissioners that portions of the highway required cutting and repair twice due to pipe ruptures during the last 18 months. “In a perfect world, we’d like to have all of our infrastructure in the right of way, not under the pavement,” he said. To add insult to injury, the state offered to pay for the pipes to be relocated in 2014, but county officials at that time declined. The county’s portion of responsibility for the upcoming relocation has not been determined. “They {GDOT} have a budget for this utility work, so we’re trying to understand what that budget is, and how much of it we can access to do some design changes,” Tinsley explained. “I did find contractual documents from 2012 or 2013 that specifically said we {county} are responsible for any and all engineering costs, but they are responsible for performing the work. My fear is they will argue that they are responsible for performing the work as we submitted it to them.” Tinsley said the issue will be “top of mind moving forward,” and his goal is to have cost estimates and the county’s portion of responsibility determined by the commission’s August work session.

Mario Rios Arrested for Cruelty to Animals

The horse one day prior to its death.

Published 7-24-2019 PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Mario Duran Rios, who was recently arrested for animal cruelty and is in the featured news item below, is not related to, nor is he in connection with the HUMBERTO RIOS family of Upson County. Mario Duran Rios, 42, of Forest Park was arrested Monday and charged with one count of cruelty to animals in connection with the death of a horse in southwest Upson County, according to reports from the sheriff’s office. Deputies initially responded to complaints about a horse living in poor conditions at property owned by Rios at 167 Burkett Road on June 21. The Georgia Department of Agriculture was contacted, and was scheduled to respond to the address the following Monday, June 24. The horse was fed and watered by deputies and volunteers prior to deputies leaving the scene, according to the report.Despite the efforts of area residents and the local humane society, the horse was found dead when deputies were again called to the residence Saturday, June 22. During the initial investigation, information was provided to law enforcement that the horse was under veterinary care, and that nothing could be done to improve the animal’s health, according to Sheriff Dan Kilgore. The subsequent investigation determined otherwise. Based on the overall condition of the horse and the premises, probable cause was established to arrest Rios for animal cruelty. Rios was arrested and processed at the Upson County Jail, and currently has a “condition” bond that prohibits him from possessing any animals until the completion of the case. In the State of Georgia, animal cruelty- neglect is a misdemeanor. The case drew community attention following complaints by area residents, outrage on social media, and public comments by a Burkett Road resident at an Upson County Commission meeting earlier this month.

City Officials Suggest Future Millage & Electric Rate Increases

Published 7-24-2019​By Bridge Turner A tax hike and utility rate increase may be on the horizon for city residents, according to discussions at the Thomaston City Council meeting last week. City Manager Russell Thompson prepared Mayor J.D. Stallings and council members that his recommendations for the 2020 budget will likely include a one mill increase in property taxes and an increase in electrical utility rates. “You can’t continue to provide services at a high level without adjustment to the tax digest,” Thompson said. “This happens one of two ways: Experience growth through increasing your tax base, which means more buildings and more taxpayers to share the burden; or the millage rate has to increase.” The millage rate increase is needed to finance the debt service on a bond necessary to construct a new fire department, according to Thompson. And the electric rate increase is tied to a long-term agreement by the city to participate in Plant Vogtle phases three and four. The last millage rate increase came approximately 14 years ago, according to council members, but city residents have seen a water and sewage rate increase and a “re-balancing” of electrical rates within the past three years. The electric adjustment eliminated “summer rates,” which relieved cost for commercial users at the expense of residential users. “If you track back to the 90s, our electric rates have not kept up with inflation,” Thompson said. The utility increase would be the first in a series which will last for multiple years, allowing the city to fulfill an obligation to participate in funding the nuclear plant. By gradually increasing rates over a period of years, the city will avoid a much larger increase when the debt becomes due, according to Thompson. “What we have to do is communicate this well and let the public have a chance to come in, hear about it and ask questions, and understand that this isn’t just an arbitrary increase,” Councilman Ryan Tucker said. “These are obligations pertaining to Plant Vogtle, and it’s what has to be done.” However, Tucker asked if there was a point at which the city could have opted out of the agreement. Thompson said the final commitment was made years ago, under different circumstances. “This was before we realized we were sitting on a sea of natural gas,” Mayor Pro-tem Doug Head said. “Now we have a lot of excess capacity for Thomaston,” Finance Director Lonnie Joyce added. “They said {phases} one and two are going off line, so you’re going to be stuck with some hydro, a little natural gas, and a coal plant. You won’t have any nuclear. So they had to get in on {phases} three and four because you’ve got to have nuclear.” The one-mill tax increase would fund construction of a new fire department, proposed to be built on city-owned property now home to the local pardons and parole board office. Meetings are being scheduled between the project architect and Georgia Department of Transportation officials to discuss traffic studies and the possibility of installing a safety signal at the site.

TPD Chief Attends Police Leadership Training in Israel

Thomaston Police Chief Mike Richardson, above center, was one of 21 senior law enforcement officials from Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina to participate in a training program in Israel. Below, Richardson is shown examples of gear worn by Israeli National Police.

Published 7-17-2019 ​Thomaston Police Department Chief Mike Richardson recently attended an intensive two week public safety leadership training course with Israel’s top police executives. He trained with 12 Georgia police chiefs and command staff, two sheriffs, a Georgia Bureau of Investigation inspector, and executives from the Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Command College, and Stone Mountain Department of Public Safety. Richardson was in a 21-member delegation of senior law enforcement officials from Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina participating in the Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange’s 27th annual peer-to-peer training program in partnership with the Israeli National Police. While there, the delegates were shown best practices and the latest technologies in policing and public safety. More than 770 public safety officials, most from Georgia, have participated in the program in Israel to include Sheriff Dan Kilgore, who attended the program in 2015. Richardson’s trip was funded through a GILEE grant at no cost to the city. “Our GILEE delegates return with new ways of developing, collaborating on and using strategies to minimize the production of crime and terrorism,” said GILEE Executive Director Steve Heaton. “In GILEE’s 27 years, many of these graduates have gone on to serve in key leadership roles in Georgia and beyond.” GILEE is a research unit within Georgia State University’s Andrew Young School of Policy Studies. It enhances public safety by nurturing existing and new partnerships within and across public agencies and the private sector. It has received multiple awards and honors, including the Special Service Award from the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police and the Georgia Governor’s Public Safety Award. “There are no other opportunities I know of that expose American law enforcement officers to the daily realities and challenges of Israeli law enforcement,” Richardson said. “The training, experiences and friendships made will be invaluable to my professional development and career with the TPD.” Chief Richardson further stated that he would highly encourage all senior public safety officials to participate and support the GILEE program. “It’s a training experience like no other,” he said.To learn more about the program, visit gilee.gsu.edu.

Gun, Money and Meth Found at Local Restaurant

China Town Express on Highway 19

Published 7-17-2019 ​A search warrant executed July 3 at China Town Express, 1524 Highway 19 North in Thomaston, resulted in two arrests and multiple charges, according to an Upson County Sheriff’s Office report. Ting Wei Zheng, owner of China Town Express, was charged with gambling and possession of a sawed-off shotgun; and Debra Lynn Bradshaw, employee of the restaurant, was charged with gambling and possession of methamphetamine. In addition, a freeze was placed on Zheng’s bank account. The search warrant stemmed from an ongoing investigation into activities at the restaurant, in which cash payouts were received on coin operated amusement machines from both Zheng and Bradshaw, according to the report. The investigation, conducted between April and July, led to a search of both the restaurant and residence at the same location. According to Sgt. Mario Cromer, agroup of local law enforcement personnel including Sgt. Heath Eppinger, Capt. Toby Hardeman, Sgt. Todd Murphy, and Sheriff Dan Kilgore served warrants simultaneously at the business and residence. Cromer’s account of the incident is as follows: “Upon searching the residence, I located a Kleenex box and a cell phone box that contained an undisclosed amount of currency. Zheng’s license was also located inside the Kleenex box. I located a plastic container {with} a large amount of coins inside Zheng’s bedroom. While searching Zheng’s closet, I located several stacks of $1 bills, a gray jacket in his closet that contained several stacks of $100 bills, and I also retrieved a sawed-off shotgun from the closet. I also located several vouchers from the COAMs on Zheng’s dresser.” Cromer’s report continued, “While searching the second bedroom, Capt. Hardeman located a plastic bag that contained several loaded syringes and a baggie that contained suspected methamphetamine residue. A plastic bag that contained coins, and a grinder that contained marijuana residue was also retrieved from the second bedroom. I determined that the second bedroom belonged to Bradshaw, due to a picture and a purse {located in the room}.” Other recent arrests include: Jamal Franco Barron, 39, of 64 Gray Road in Woodbury, possession of methamphetamine and possession of cocaine; Holly King Hunt, 38, of 1380 Barnesville Highway in Thomaston, illegal possession of a controlled substance, MDMA (ecstasy); Taylor Nicole Cogburn, 27, of 1380 Barnesville Highway in Thomaston, illegal possession of a controlled substance, MDMA; Christopher Dawson Hilley, 20, of 3489 Highway 19 South in Thomaston, illegal possession of a controlled substance, MDMA; Christopher Alan Fuller, 28, of 118 Rualmaine Circle in Thomaston, possession of meth; Tina Louise Paschal, 41, of 410 Joshua Street in Thomaston, possession of meth; Terry Oneal Wyche, 41, of 509 Cobbtown Road in Thomaston, possession of meth; Javan Billtavis Raines, 21, of 42 Jackson Street in Yatesville, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Flint Fest 2019 Set For July 27

Published 7-10-2019 Flint Fest 2019, a day of live musical entertainment and a 2.5-mile river trek, will be held Saturday, July 27 at the Camp Thunder Pavilion in Molena. Check-in for the 10 a.m. float will begin at 9 a.m. at Camp Thunder’s canoe base, located at 1166 Dripping Rock Road. For a $10 per craft fee, a shuttle will drop participants at Highway 18 Bridge, and the float ends at the Lawhorn Scouting Base. Tubes, kayaks and canoes will be available to rent, ranging in price from $25 to $40. General admission to the festival is $10 “early bird” or $15 at the event, which includes food trucks, lawn games, and an evening of live music. DJ Tronic starts at 11 a.m., followed by Mark Adams at 2:30 p.m., Andy Johnson at 3:30, Heart of Pine at 4:30, Kaleb King at 6 p.m., and Logan Winkles at 7:30 p.m. Tent and cabin rentals are available for the weekend. For additional information, and to reserve tickets or tent and cabin rentals, visit the Flint Fest Facebook page, and click on the “Eventbrite” link before July 15. Flint Fest 2019, a Pike County Chamber of Commerce event, is sponsored by TenCate Protective Fabrics and Moddy-Daniel Funeral Home.

Puttin’ (A New Front) On The Ritz

The Ritz Theatre, prior to renovation.

The Ritz’s renovated facade with proposed marquee.

Published 7-10-2019​By Debbie McClain For the second time in 81 years, the Ritz Theatre, built in 1927, has made headlines for remodeling the front of the historic building that sits on the square in downtown Thomaston. The Ritz’s tiled art deco-style front has been a downtown staple since 1938, but is now a thing of the past. The red, black and golden tiles above the marquee have been covered in gray and terra cotta colored stucco. Ritz owners Malcolm and Amy Neal have future plans to clean and paint around the windows on the bottom half of the building, and there are some changes planned for the marquee as well. According to the Neals and city code enforcement officer Bobby Ellington, the remodel was necessary because of water damage and safety issues. The City of Thomaston’s Historic Preservation Commission met at the end of June, for the first time in years, to discuss the Ritz Theatre’s new façade and plans moving forward. During the meeting, Neal said he could not find a local contractor who could restore the tile work and that replacing the damaged tiles at approximately $10 each made the option cost prohibitive. He reported to the commission that there was severe water damage behind the tiles and they could not afford to do a restoration, so remodeling was the only option. Beginning in 2005, the Neals sent multiple letters to Thomaston’s then city manager Patrick Comiskey requesting a tree be removed from the front of the building, claiming the tree was causing damage and blocking the marquee. Comiskey agreed to remove the tree in 2008 after the Neals submitted copies of signed contracts, approved building permits and proof that there was sufficient money to complete the project. In September and October of last year, the Neals sent the request to current City Manager Russell Thompson asking council members to honor Comiskey’s 2008 commitment to remove the tree, again stating the tree blocked the marquee and caused damage to the windows and front of the building. In October 2018 Thompson presented the letter to council members along with plans to remodel the Ritz, and explained that the project would only move forward if the tree was removed. The council voted to honor Comiskey’s 2008 commitment and approve the project. The Neals submitted the necessary paperwork, permits were issued, and the first phase has been completed. “There’s still a lot of work to be done on the Ritz,” Neal said. “The plan for the marquee will have the show times on the sides and the Ritz name will be on the front. We will keep the tile work on the bottom half of the building and make some repairs.” Thompson asked Neal if he would be interested in restoring the tile work if the city could arrange for a historic grant, and Neal said he would consider it if funds were available. Thompson also requested that Heather Blackmon, Thomaston’s Main Street coordinator, gather information to re-establish the Historic Preservation Commission and seek nominations for available seats. All work on the Ritz, including the marquee, and work on any other historic building in the city will require approval by code enforcement and the commission before requests are presented to the city council for a final decision.

dogs just wanna have fun

Paddle 4 Paws Held Last WeekendPublished 7-3-2019 The annual Paddle 4 Paws Benefit was held Saturday, with participants meeting at Sprewell Bluff on June 29 to float the Flint River in support of the Upson Humane Society. In addition, food vendors Repicci’s Concessions and H&H BBQ were present. See more pictures in next week’s edition of The Upson Beacon.

8% Sales Tax Now in Effect for Upson County

Published 7-3-2019​​ As of Monday, July 1, Upson County businesses have begun collecting an additional penny on every dollar of consumer spending to help fund local transportation projects. Upson County voters approved the Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax on March 19. The sales tax rate hike from seven to eight percent for most goods and services will be allotted as follows:•4% Georgia sales tax (increased from three percent to four percent on April 1, 1989)•1% LOST (local option sales tax)•1% SPLOST (special purpose local option sales tax)•1% ELOST (education local option sales tax)•1% TSPLOST (transportation special purpose local option sales tax – collected from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2024) The county will begin receiving collected funds in late summer, and plans to start the first TSPLOST-funded projects in fall. For more information, visit https://dor.georgia.gov/documents/sales-tax-upcoming-quarterly-rate-changes.

​Upson’s Beloved Coach Dawkins Dies at Age 97

Coach James Dawkins

Published 6-26-2019By Bridge Turner Upson County lost a dear friend of more than 90 years Monday, when the final horn sounded on a well-played game of life for “Coach” James Dawkins. Dawkins touched, if not helped shape, the lives of countless youth through his official involvement with local sports for almost 40 years. His love of sports and people, in general, persisted long past retirement and continued to positively impact young and old alike. “While watching Coach Dawkins over the years, I realized that I didn’t have to go to Athens, Baton Rouge or Tuscaloosa to find greatness,” said former coach and county commissioner Frank Spraggins when Dawkins received​ the Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014. “We have it here on our little piece of earth. What a coach and, more importantly, what a man!” Dawkins, born the second of nine siblings on May 17, 1922 in Porterdale, Ga. to Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Thomas Dawkins, was six years old when the family moved to Thomaston. He attended East Thomaston Grammar School and graduated from R.E. Lee Institute in 1940. He served in World War II from 1942-1946 and was a fullback for the Seine Comets, who played mostly in Europe in the mid 1940s. After serving in the U.S. Army, he attended Gordon Military College and Erskine College. Dawkins met his wife of more than 71 years, Betty Jean Jones, on the courthouse square in Thomaston, and the couple was married May 28, 1948. He began working as a physical education teacher at R.E. Lee Grammar School in 1951, and expanded to after-school activities at Weaver Park for the city and county school systems a few years later. In addition to his normal teaching work day, Dawkins kept local children actively involved in football, basketball, tennis, softball and swimming after school and during summer months. The Dawkins had a son, James Franklin “Jim” Dawkins, Jr., on Dec. 30, 1959. Not falling far from the tree, Jim laughed often, teased regularly, and enjoyed practical jokes, along with his love of sports and the outdoors. He shared many fields with his father, and was part of the 1972 Thomaston Little League All-Star team that won the state championship and advanced to southeastern playoffs in Florida. Jim lost his battle with leukemia in 1979. Coach Dawkins served the recreation department for 35 years, sending many players on to have outstanding high school and college careers. He received the Georgia Parks & Recreation Distinguished Service Award, the Service to Mankind Award, was honored by the ULHS Athletic Booster Club, and was inducted into the Thomaston-Upson Sports Hall of Fame in 2005. In 2013, the Recreation Youth Football Complex was named in his honor. Despite his many accolades, Dawkins was best known for earning the respect, love, and admiration of the young people who played on his teams or participated in his programs, according to his admirers. “Sometimes a very special person will come into your life, show you how to live, and leave an indelible handprint on your heart that lasts a lifetime,” said Bob Alexander, former educator and coach, and motivational speaker. “For me, Coach Dawkins is that person.”

​City Ordinance Limits Number of Dogs & Cats to Three

Published 6-26-2019​By Bridge Turner The Thomaston City Council voted unanimously last week to amend the ordinance limiting the number of cats and dogs allowed on any single lot within the city. The change was prompted by numerous complaints regarding animals received by Thomaston Police Chief Mike Richardson, according to Mayor Pro-tem Doug Head. The ordinance reads as follows: “No more than three dogs may be kept on any lot in the city which contains three contiguous acres or less. One additional dog may be kept on any one lot for each additional two contiguous acres contained in one such lot… The keeping of dogs in the city in excess of the number permitted by this section is prohibited, and is unlawful.” The ordinance does provide an exception for breeding, stating, “In addition, if a female dog located in the city in compliance with this chapter bears a litter of puppies, the puppies in the litter may be retained in the city on the lot where delivery occurred for a period of time not to exceed 12 weeks.”Wording of the ordinance is the same for cats and kittens, and does not distinguish between pets that are kept indoors or outdoors. In a report to councilmembers, engineer Trey Gavin with ESG Engineering said the sewage project has been moved to the top of the priority list for USDA funding. An environmental report has been submitted to the federal agency for the inclusion of Town Branch facility upgrades, according to Gavin. “We want to address that with funding that we’ve already procured,” he said, “so there will be a little bit of a delay to get the federal agencies on board. But we have moved forward with that.” Gavin also updated the council on an ongoing drainage project, which included work to alleviate standing water in parking spaces at the corner of Center and East Gordon Streets on the square last week. The entire project should be completed within a month, he said. In other business, the council voted unanimously to approve an agreement with Allen-Smith Consulting for grant writing and grant administration. The council also voted to cancel the regular meeting scheduled for Tuesday, July 2.

Thomaston Native Command Sgt. Maj. Steve R. Chandler Jr. incoming senior enlisted leader Published 6-19-19 The Soldiers of the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team “War Horse,” 4th Infantry Division, stood proudly in formation in the shadows of Cheyenne Mountain as they said their last good-byes the brigade command team, June 13, during a change of leadership ceremony, here. The change of leadership ceremony is a tradition in which the outgoing command team formally transfers authority and responsibility to the incoming command team. The reviewing officer for the ceremony was Brig. Gen. Joseph A. Ryan, deputy command general-support for the 4th Inf. Div. Col. Dave J. Zin, native of Clarksburg, West Virginia, relinquished authority of the War Horse Brigade to Col. Scott P. Knight Jr., from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, during the ceremony. “It is truly an honor and privilege to stand before you today after 24 months of command,” said Zinn. “Fort Carson and the 4th Inf. Div. is a spectacular place to lead Soldiers and raise a Family. It has been a journey.” During Zinn’s time in command, half of the brigade deployed in support of Operation Freedom Sentinel in Southern Afghanistan were assisted with training, advising and assisting the Afghan National Defense Security Forces. The other half of the brigade deployed to Kosovo to work as liaison monitoring teams to work with the local populace. “I am only able to stand here today because of the collective efforts of a large group of Soldiers, NCOs, and officers who have helped me along the way,” said Zinn. “It is on their shoulders that I continue to stand. They deserve full credit for any of the successes I have had.” Knight, who came from the Defense PAO/MIA Accounting Agency as the director of expeditionary support, is no stranger to Fort Carson. “My wife, my daughter and I cannot express how glad we are to serve in the beautiful Fort Carson, Colorado and in the 4th Inf. Div.,” he said. “Coincidentally this is the same post and Division which my father served 48-years-ago when then lieutenant Knight deployed to Vietnam.” Simultaneously, Command Sgt. Maj. Vincent Simonetti, a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, relinquished responsibility of the War Horse Brigade to Command Sgt. Maj. Steve R. Chandler Jr., a native of Thomaston, Georgia. “Vince Simonetti is an exceptional senior NCO who coaches, teaches, trains, and develops NCOs as well as anyone I have seen,” said Zinn during his speech. “Thank you for your friendship, counsel, outstanding teamwork, and support I could not have asked for a better senior NCO.” As the Zinn and Simonetti Family prepare to depart Fort Carson, Chandler, who comes from the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, and Knight prepare to join the War Horse and Fort Carson Family. “Col. Scott Knight, and Command Sgt. Maj. Steve Chandler, two Army leaders with phenomenal reputations who take the reigns at a critical time for the Brigade,” said Brig. Gen. Joseph A. Ryan. “Scott and Steve, welcome to the team and the best of luck as you assumed the mantle of leadership.”​

tfd wetdown ceremony held

Published 6-19-2019​ A “Wetdown” ceremony was held this past Thursday at the Upson Lee Fine Arts Center to celebrate TFD’s new 107-foot ladder truck. This new truck, built by Pierce, is the first brand new truck that the TFD has purchased. This ladder truck was built based on the needs of Thomaston to ensure the best equipment is avaliable to protect and serve the citizens of Thomaston. See more pictures on page 12. Photo by Dallas Pierce

Nine Indicted in Connection with 2018 Homicide

Cody James Butler

William Haege Jr.

Jeanette Hoyal

Deborah Michelle Wright

Michael Paul Clark

Neely Lynn Spratlin

Joyce Earles

Published 6-12-2019 Nine indictments were issued and seven arrests made in connection with a violent home invasion that occurred Nov. 26, 2018 on Fourth Avenue in Thomaston. Officers from the Thomaston Police Department responded to 224 Fourth Avenue SE to find resident Stephen Earles on the floor, unconscious and severely beaten, according to reports. Officers spoke with Earles’ wife Joyce, who also had visible injuries from the assault, and both residents were transported to Upson Regional Medical Center for treatment. Mr. Earles was taken to Macon for further treatment, and died two days later as a result of his injuries.Based on Mrs. Earles’ statement that two unknown subjects broke into the residence, the initial investigation indicated a robbery attempt. When the case progressed to a homicide investigation, it was determined that the incident resulted from illegal drug activity being conducted by Mrs. Earles at the home, reports said. The previous month, October 2018, TPD officers executed a search warrant at the same house on Fourth Avenue in connection with a drug case. At that time, Mrs. Earles was arrested for possession in violation of Georgia’s controlled substance act. During months of investigation, evidence indicated that Mrs. Earles was conspiring with multiple suspects in an illegal drug operation in which she was buying and selling controlled substances. Following a special presentment to the Upson County Grand Jury in May, nine ​were indicted for conspiracy to possess a controlled substance and/or using a telecommunication device to facilitate a drug transaction, all violations of the Georgia Controlled Substance Act. Based on the indictments, felony bench warrants were issued for the arrests of Joyce Earles, William Haege, Jr., Ryan Joiner, Michael Paul Clark, Michelle Clark Wright, Neely Lynn Spratlin, Jeanette Hoyal, Heath Edward Warmack and Cody James Butler. At the time of the report, all had been arrested except Joiner and Warmack. Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Ryan Joiner and Heath Warmack are asked to call the TPD at 706-647-5455.

blackstock sworn in by governor

Published 6-12-2019 Local businessman Scott Blackstock was sworn into office as a board member of the Georgia Economic Development Council by Governor Brian Kemp Thursday, June 6 at the Georgia Capital governor’s office. Blackstock is pictured with his wife, Hope.

Daniel named school nutrition director of year

Published 6-5-2019​By Bridge Turner The Georgia School Nutrition Association has named Shelley Daniel, director of school nutrition for Thomaston-Upson Schools, state Director of the Year. The award, which Daniel received at the GSNA annual conference in Athens, recognizes the extraordinary contributions of school nutrition directors in Georgia who manage effective school meal programs providing healthy, appetizing meals to students. As local director for the past nine years, Daniel has been a positive influence and a visionary leader for school nutrition professionals throughout the district, according to a GSNA press release. She is responsible for keeping the department financially stable and creating a supportive environment for her staff members. Daniel’s focus on student health and good nutrition has expanded to encompass health and wellness opportunities for the district faculty and staff. She encourages staff members to exemplify health and fitness for their students. During the holidays, she coordinated a one-mile wellness walk down Christmas Lane. To educate leaders about the meals being served in local school cafeterias, Daniel serves a school meal to board of education members each month at regular meetings. She also knows the importance of teacher par​ticipation, and has implemented a payroll deduction option that allows teachers to charge their meals. To promote a relationship between the school and community, Daniel serves school meals to local radio stations during National School Breakfast Week and National School Lunch Week, coordinates a collection for families in need during the holidays, hosts a Grandparents’ Day breakfast, and provides school food samples at school open house events. “School nutrition directors set the tone in their districts, empowering their staff and creating a pleasant work environment,” said Nicole James, 2018-2019 president of the GSNA. “Shelley goes above and beyond for her school meal program, educating students, parents and the community about the healthy meals available at T-U schools. The GSNA is a non-profit professional organization representing more than 6,000 members who provide high-quality, low-cost meals to students across the state. Founded in 1951, GSNA is devoted exclusively to protecting and enhancing children’s health and well-being through school meals and sound nutrition education.

riverside evacuated

Community Rallies to Keep 62 Residents SafePublished 5-29-2019By Bridge Turner A total evacuation occurred when the odor of natural gas was detected at Riverside Health and Rehabilitation in Thomaston last week. Sixty-two patients were moved out of the facility within approximately 10 minutes of detection, according to Riverside Administrator Laura Ferguson, then multiple local emergency responders went into action. In about three ​hours, the scene was secured and all residents were safely back at Riverside. “I’m proud of how our staff responded. We train for this type of situation, but you never know until it actually happens,” Ferguson said. “We also learned a lot from our first responders, and I could not appreciate them more. It was an amazing group effort, and I am proud to be a part of this community. I want to say a big ‘thank you’ to everyone that helped.” The Thomaston Fire Department responded to a 911 call from Riverside at approximately 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, and arrived to find that 62 patients had been evacuated, according to Emergency Management Agency and TFD reports. Firefighters aided Riverside staff in moving patients further from the building, into a nearby field shaded by pecan trees at the corner of Green Street and Old Talbotton Road. Within minutes, members of the Thomaston Police Department, Upson County Sheriff Dan Kilgore, EMA and multiple ambulances joined the effort. The Thomaston-Upson School System dispatched buses to transport patients to Upson Regional Medical Center, Providence Nursing Home, and Harborview. The Upson County Senior Center bus took the first load of 16 patients, and six were picked up by family members. Fletcher-Day Funeral Home erected a tent for additional shade, Thurston VFD brought large fans, and URMC provided additional towels and iced bottles of water while residents awaited transport. “For what could have been a major event with significant loss of life, the involved agencies working in cooperation with Riverside Nursing Home averted this disaster, holding the impact to a minimum,” according to an EMA report. Atlanta Gas Light performed a pressure test of the entire building, and determined that an “eye on the stove was accidentally left in the on position but not ignited,” according to a TFD report, resulting in a buildup of gas in the facility. TFD ventilated the building and confirmed that gas presence had dropped to a safe level before residents were re-admitted. Ferguson said she thinks a “faulty valve” was the culprit, and confirmed that the problem was corrected.

history makers - record setters

The UL Knights varsity soccer team or, as the community calls them, “The Brotherhood,” made history Saturday when they took to the field to play in their first ever state championship soccer match.

Senior Brandon Martinez shields off a defender in the Knights’ state championship game.

Knights Fall to Oconee County in State ChampionshipPublished 5-22-2019By Austin Franklin The Knights played in their first ever soccer state championship game Saturday evening at Mercer University in Macon against Oconee County High School and fell short of completing their undefeated season and securing the school’s first state soccer championship by a score of 1-0. Oconee County was able to find the back of the net early in the first half on a long shot that barely got over the top of the Knights’ goalkeeper AJ Hunnicutt. The Knights had many close opportunities that just would not go their way as they were never able to recover from the 1-0 deficit. The Knights finished the season with a school soccer record of 18-1-1, as they won their region for the second consecutive year. The Knights will start from scratch next season under a new head coach as the majority of their team graduates including John Armstrong, Jordan Massey, Chris Newman, AJ Hunnicutt, Bryson Teal, Cameron Teal, Brandon Martinez, Rhett Baucom, Berklei Rakestraw, Chase Winters, Drae McDuffie, Triston Coker, Daymon Thomas, Matt Gordon, and Alex Lopez. ​ The seniors that lettered for varsity all four years of their high school career will depart with a record of 63-1-13, including two region championships, four years of post season play, including a final four appearance, and a state championship appearance. The Knights will have a new head coach on their sideline next season as Matt Bentley will hang up his coaching shoes and move to an administrative position within the school system. Bentley has been a part of the Knights’ coaching staff for 19 years, including the last 15 years as head coach.

county gives nod to local cpa firm

Eyes Change for Handling Delinquent Tax Property SalesPublished 5-22-2019By Bridge Turner In a meeting last week, Upson County Commissioners voted to reverse an earlier decision regarding audit of the joint projects fund, to hire a financial advisor, and to pursue a change in the way delinquent property tax parcel sales are handled by local officials. At a city-county joint meeting May 9, commissioners voted to use Rushton Accounting of Gainesville to reconcile funds from joint projects, while city councilmembers chose the local firm Driver & Adams for the procedure. Chairman Norman Allen made a motion to align with the city to ex​​pedite the process, and the full board voted unanimously to award the task to Driver & Adams. Funds have accrued in the accounts for more than five years since the joint agreement, and total approximately $1 million, according to reports. Moving forward, the accounts will be audited on an annual basis. Following a presentation by representatives of Davenport & Company financial advisors, commissioners voted unanimously to hire the 155-year-old firm for future consulting. Davenport, which is employed by several area counties, will provide advice on investments, public finance and asset management. “They will help us secure the highest possible rating for the county,” said County Manager Jason Tinsley, “help us negotiate underwriting fees, and offer direction on establishing a program to invest any proceeds.” The commission also directed Tinsley and County Attorney Paschal English to draft a resolution for the future handling of property which is multiple years delinquent on tax payment, and has appeared in two or more tax sales without receiving a bid. The change, according to Tax Commissioner Andy Chastain, would be “in the best interest of Upson County taxpayers.” Following are excerpts from Chastain’s written presentation:

“This resolution gives the tax commissioner authority to sell delinquent parcels that have been in two or more tax sales and have not been bid on and are seven or more years in delinquency, with a starting bid equivalent to the fees owed on the property, which would average around $400, instead of the last seven years of delinquent taxes owed as the starting bid. “In most cases, these parcels are basically small lots that are not desirable to build on, and therefore have not drawn enough interest for someone willing to pay the taxes owed. Also, in most cases, these parcels are in the name of a deceased taxpayer or a taxpayer that is no longer around and has basically abandoned the property, and the remaining family has no interest in keeping the property, much less paying taxes on it. “There are other tax commissioners (in Georgia) doing this very thing for their taxpayers, with or without a resolution being in place and with the graces of their boards of commissioners. Why? Because it’s the right and practical thing to do for the taxpayers. “There’s nothing illegal about it. We won’t be writing off taxes if these parcels are sold. The tax debt remains attached and that tax debt simply moves from a property/personal debt to a personal debt only. And in the cases of these 12 parcels for sale in June, the owners are either deceased, or have dementia and are unable to pay the taxes owed, and have no desire to hang onto the property… I see no negative outcome that this resolution could cause. “I certainly don’t feel any taxpayer would object to this action being taken. You’re saving tax dollars spent on attorney fees by allowing the new owner of these parcels to take on the responsibility and cost of foreclosing on the tax deed and securing a clear title. “In the past, I’ve gone to the lengths of marketing these properties myself to people who live or own property nearby, in hopes of putting these parcels in someone’s hands that has the ability to pay the taxes. It would just make it a whole lot easier to market these properties if we can advertise a lower opening bid. It makes practical sense, and it’s the right thing to do for the county and, most importantly, the taxpayers.” Commissioners agreed to consider a draft for resolution, with the condition that a list of properties be submitted to the group prior to any action being taken.

Blackstock Appointed To Georgia Economic Development Board

Published 5-15-2019​ Governor Brian Kemp recently appointed local businessman Scott Blackstock to the board of directors for the Georgia Economic Development Council. “I am honored and excited to have this opportunity,” Blackstock says, “and I will give every effort to bring jobs to Georgia, especially rural Georgia.” The Georgia Department of Economic Development is the state’s sales and marketing arm, the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, and aligning workforce education and training with in-demand jobs. The group locates new markets for Georgia products, attracts tourists to Georgia, and promotes the state as a destination for arts and location for film, music and digital entertainment projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development

City & County Pledge Joint Effort on Sewage Issue

Published 5-15-2019By Bridge Turner Members of the Thomaston City Council and Upson County Commission have committed to working together toward solving what they called “the most pressing issue” for the community, wastewater treatment. There is an immediate need to upgrade the local sewer infrastructure, according to local officials, and both governing bodies agreed to combine efforts focused on a common goal which will broaden the area’s options for industrial recruitment. Under a current agreement, the city is solely responsible for providing sewage service to the industrial park. “We’ve got to change something from our side,” said City Manager Russell Thompson, who estimates the upgrade will cost approximately $5 million. “We’re taking on 100 percent of the cost with no revenue or tax base benefit, and that’s a loser. We both have to have revenue and cost share for this to work. “We don’t want to get over on the county, and we don’t want the county to get over on us,” he continued. “We need to both be 100 percent, 100 miles per hour in economic development and industrial recruitment.” Commission Chairman Norman Allen agreed with Thompson’s assessment at a city-county joint meeting last week.“There’s no push-back here. If the city has a problem with wastewater treatment, then the city’s problem is the county’s problem,” Allen said. “We, as the county, want to help fix this. I can’t think of any need more pressing or more critical that wastewater treatment. My question is, what can we do to help?” The solution would involve upgrades to both the Bell Creek and Town Branch facilities, and some state funding is a possibility, according to Thompson. “We don’t have a problem that money can’t fix. We have a plan, and it’s in the works,” Thompson said. “If we do this now, we’ll have enough time to make a long-range plan. It gets us home for what we need right now.” County Manager Jason Tinsley called the current agreement between the city and county “very non-specific. When we do this again, we need to have something that is very clear among the city, county and industrial development authority. We have to have a strategy,” he said. While wastewater treatment also affects residential development, industrial recruitment is a top priority with local officials.“The reality is that we are limited now,” said Mayor Pro-tem Doug Head. “If we really want to have the most options for our community to recruit a broad range of industry, this is a problem that needs to be solved by us all. I think we have an awesome city manager and county manager, and I think we have a council and group of commissioners that are willing to work together and make this happen.” “We inherited this,” Chairman Allen said. “There are tons of examples of municipalities and counties coming up with ways to share revenue, because that’s really the only way it makes sense. “As far as the location of the industrial park, I think the community leadership at that time hit a home run by putting it there,” Allen continued. “You can argue that it stretches our infrastructure, but it’s by one of our biggest assets, the airport.” The group discussed the possibility of constructing a new wastewater treatment plant, possibly north of town. The price tag for a new facility could approach $15 million and would involve obtaining permits that could lengthen the project as much as five years. “Our engineer says this (infrastructure issue) isn’t uncommon. You land the jobs, you get the money, and you build it and get it done,” Thompson concluded. “The city and county are working together to overcome some challenges. We’re going to meet those challenges, and find a way to be successful in doing so.” Allen and Tinsley added that the county would request aid for structure fire service and animal control from the city in a future joint services agreement.

Council Exploring Options for New Fire Department

Published 5-8-2019​By Bridge Turner Steps were taken by the Thomaston City Council last week to gather information regarding the possible creation of a public safety complex, which would include construction of a new fire department to house the city’s recently purchased 107-foot ladder truck. During a work session Friday, Alex Griggs of 2WR + Partners architectural firm in Columbus presented site plan options to the mayor and council for the potential complex, which could be built on a five-acre tract at 109 North Church Street. The city-owned property, previously the shared site of the police department, sheriff’s department and Upson County jail, currently is home to the local pardons and parole board office. The project, now moving into a fact-finding phase, could carry a price tag anywhere between $1 million and $3 million. Factors affecting cost range are site preparation, type of construction, and quality of equipment installed in the facility, according to Griggs. The location would allow favorable reaction time to both the Northside and downtown areas, according to TFD Chief Renee Harris, who said the department has outgrown its current facility on West Thompson Street. In the preferred plan, a multi-bay garage would face North Church/Center Street, enabling emergency vehicles to be dispatched more quickly. The pardons and parole office building would remain intact, according to the plan discussed, and there would be room for the addition of the police department and other government offices if the need arises any time in the future. The fire department could be ready in 14 to 15 months from beginning construction, Griggs said. Chief Harris said she had seen, and liked, plans used for the West Point, Ga. Fire Department, one of nine such structures built by 2WR firm in the West Georgia-East Alabama area. “That one was less costly because we used a lot of wood and sheetrock construction,” Griggs explained. “Steel and block are preferred for longevity, but that is one of the things that will affect your budget.” City Manager Russell Thompson reminded the council that an additional consideration in the process would be reworking the existing TFD building so it would be more conducive to leasing or selling when the department relocates, leaving it vacant. Councilmembers asked Thompson to move forward with a survey to determine site prep and other cost factors, and schedule talks to further narrow the scope of the project.

New Industry projects $13 Million investment, 30-plus new jobs

Ranew's Painting Facility Rezoning Request On Fast Track​Published 5-1-2019By Jim Wheeless In a special called meeting April 18, the planning and zoning board voted unanimously to approve a request by Rolling 13 Ranch, LLC through applicant WSL Real Estate Holdings, LLC to rezone 44 acres at Delray Road and Highway 36 for a manufacturing plant to paint vehicle parts. Attorney David Dunaway, representing Ranew’s Truck & Equipment Company, said the company plans to invest more than $13 million and initially construct a 100,000-square-foot building. The facility will house a high-tech eco-paint line, a power coating process and a wet paint line. The plant will employ approximately 32 people, according to a statement by Ranew’s, and could increase to 55-60 employees within a 12-month period, “if the anticipated demand materializes.” The company is contracted to paint John Deere tractor frames and parts, and plans to be in operation by January 2020. Director Doug Currier recommended the rezoning based on the location of the property, near the airport and other manufacturing industries. The tract currently consists of two lots with a single family residence, an accessory building, open pasture, and a portion of Little Swift Creek. Water service for the new facility will be provided by Upson County, and sewage service provided by the City of Thomaston, following a pre-treatment by the facility owner. The expected water demand and sewage treatment will be approximately 9,000 gallons per day. Ranew’s headquarters, located in Milner, is the home of three manufacturing divisions, a warehouse and more than 60 dedicated employees. The company has a customer base which includes local, state, national and international companies. Lester & Susan Ranew are the original owners of Ranew’s, and they actively serve as the company’s co-presidents. “Ranew’s is enthusiastic about the great possibilities and future successes surrounding this facility,” according to a press release, “not only for this enterprise and its new employees, but also for the Thomaston-Upson community. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us.”

Tarrant named CEO of URMC

Jeffrey Tarrant, URMC CEO

Published 5-1-2019 Upson Regional Medical Center welcomes Jeffrey Tarrant as chief executive officer effective May 6, according to a recent statement by local hospital officials. Tarrant has more than three decades of experience in healthcare and was selected after a national search conducted by the URMC Board of Trustees in conjunction with HealthTechS3, a management and consulting company which has partnered with Upson for more than 20 years. Tarrant most recently served as CEO for AllianceHealth Durant, a 150-bed hospital in Durant, Okla. which joined Community Health Systems in 2014. He was appointed CEO of critical access hospital, AllianceHealth Madill, in Madill, Okla. in April 2018, which expanded his role to southeastern Oklahoma market CEO, emphasizing a multi-hospital market focus across the region. Previously, Tarrant was president of Integris Blackwell Regional Hospital in Blackwell, Okla. and Bass Baptist Health Center in Enid, Okla. He also was regional COO for Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital in Alexandria, La. And CEO of Lafayette Regional Health Center in Lexington, Mo., Mitchell County Hospital in Veloit, Kansas, and Minneola District Hospital in Minneola, Kansas. Tarrant earned his bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration from Wichita State University, and his master’s degree in healthcare administration from the University of Minnesota. He is a fellow of The American College of Healthcare Executives and The Advisory Board Company. He serves on various boards, including chamber of commerce and Loaves of Fishes regional food bank. Throughout his career, Tarrant has executed comprehensive strategic plans, revitalized hospitals, and supported existing providers to enhance and build trust in organizations. Jeff and his wife, Angie, have three children, Zachary, Allison, and Jacob; and three grandchildren, Ezra, Clementine, and Penny. “Mr. Tarrant is a highly qualified professional and will provide the Upson community with the senior leadership required in today’s complex healthcare environment,” said Neil Todhunter, president of HealthTechS3, when the URMC board made its decision after interviewing hundreds of candidates. “Jeff is a highly respected and seasoned CEO in the hospital industry,” said Bill Hightower, chairman of the URMC board. “After reviewing many candidates, Jeff’s accomplishments and abilities stood out and made him the best choice for URMC. We are pleased to have Jeff and Angie be part of our community.” Tarrant says he considers it a privilege to be chosen to serve Upson Regional, which employs more than 700 caregivers and support staff, and cares for more than 70,000 patients per year. “Angie and I are so excited to be relocating to Thomaston and Upson County,” he said. “I have been delighted with what I have seen at URMC – a unique organization with such a strong heritage in its past, and such promising potential in its future. I am already impressed with the strong sense of commitment shared by all to simply be of service to those who need us. Angie and I know we will quickly feel at home in Thomaston.” Tarrant replaces interim CEO Diane Bradley, who has served Upson Regional since June 2018.

Evans Food Group acquires Turkey Creek Snacks

Published 5-1-2019 Wind Point Partners and portfolio company Evans Food Group, a leading global producer of branded and private label pork rinds, announced at the end of March that Evans has acquired Turkey Creek, Inc. Turkey Creek, founded in 1977 by Gail and Laddie Fulcher and headquartered in Thomaston, is a leading national producer of pork rinds. “The merging of Turkey Creek and Evans, with the support of Wind Point, is a win-win for our customers, our team members and for our town,” the Fulchers commented. “All three organizations share common values. Leveraging Evans’ national manufacturing footprint will allow us to serve Turkey Creek’s clients across the country in a much better way. The combination will also enable expansion of the Thomaston plant. We are excited to remain involved in supporting a successful transition.” The pork rind market is the fastest growing and one of the most attractive of all salty snacks, according to a statement released by Evans. The combination of Evans and Turkey Creek creates the opportunity to leverage both companies’ complementary product and brand portfolios and distribution networks. Turkey Creek also enables Evans to secure a strong position in the strategic convenience channel and adds a manufacturing platform in the Southeast. “I am delighted to welcome the entire Turkey Creek team into the Evans family,” said Jose Luis Prado, Evans chairman and CEO, and a 30-year veteran of the snacks industry. “Both companies share a passion for delighting our customers with delicious and high-quality products and being great partners to our customers and distributors for many decades. The combination also increases our capacity to keep up with this fast-growing market.” The acquisition of Turkey Creek continues Wind Point’s long history of partnering and working with family-held businesses. with family-held businesses. “We are excited about the combination of Evans and Turkey Creek. Both companies are intensely focused on growing the pork rinds category,” stated Joe Lawler, principal with Wind Point Partners. “From a strategic perspective, the acquisition of Turkey Creek will give Evans a launch pad to grow in the large convenience channel and enhance our manufacturing capacity and capabilities in a new geography.” Turkey Creek is the second acquisition for Evans, which acquired Gaytan Foods in 2017 to enhance the company’s West Coast presence. Wind Point will seek to continue growing the Evans platform through a combination of organic growth and innovation, as well as additional acquisitions, according to company officials. Consumer products and food space have been areas of focus for Wind Point since its founding in 1984. Evans, which was acquired by Wind Point in April 2016, represents the firm’s seventh platform investment in the category over the last decade.

JQC Recommends Superior Court Judge Robert “Mack” Crawford Removal

Judge Robert "Mack" Crawford

Published 4-24-2019By Jim Wheeless The Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission has recommended to the Georgia Supreme Court that suspended Griffin Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Robert “Mack” Crawford be removed from office due to allegations of theft of court funds, for which he will face trial in September. A criminal probe conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was initiated in 2017 at the request of the Georgia Attorney General’s Office. The JQC suspended Crawford in December 2018 after a Pike County grand jury indicted him on two felony charges, theft and violating oath of office. Crawford has strongly denied any wrongdoing and said he has been forthcoming in interviews with investigators. “I don’t think I’ve done anything wrong,” he commented. The JQC hearing panel consisting of Fulton County Superior Court Chief Judge Robert McBurney, Jamala McFadden of Atlanta’s McFadden-Davis Law Firm, and Cobb County Police Chief Michael Register unanimously recommended the removal April 18. In recommending Crawford’s removal, the panel rejected the judge’s testimony given at his ethics hearing that he had “made a mistake.” The panel determined the steps Crawford took to misdirect his clients’ money violated the rule of the Georgia Code of Judicial Conduct. Crawford has 20 days to file exceptions to the ruling with the Georgia Supreme Court. Zebulon attorney Virgil Brown and former Georgia Governor Roy Barnes are representing Crawford, and say they will appeal the panel’s recommendation to the state Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has previously ruled in favor of Crawford in the case, on another matter aimed at removing him from office. Crawford was suspended last fall after being indicted on charges of stealing $15,675 from the court registry and, according to reports, he told the state JQC panel that he “made a mistake” when he directed a court clerk to pay him the money. The Georgia Supreme Court will make the final decision on the JQC recommendation. Crawford also plans to appeal the decision of a Cobb County judge that rejected his claim that the JQC members were not appointed lawfully by the state Senate. Attorneys Brown and Barnes say they are “disappointed in the JQC recommendation and look forward to arguing the matter before the Georgia Supreme Court.” In August 2010, Gov. Sonny Perdue selected Crawford as Griffin Judicial Circuit’s fourth superior court judge. Crawford ran unopposed in 2012 and then in 2016 was re-elected with opposition. Previously, Crawford served as director of the Georgia Public Defender Standards Council and served 15 years in the Georgia House of Representatives.

Smithsonian Museum Coming to Upson County

Published 4-24-2019By Luke Haney Members of the community gathered on April 17 to learn more about the Crossroads: Change in Rural America museum that is coming to Thomaston Aug. 24 through Oct. 5. Crossroads: Change in Rural America is a part of Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and State Humanities Councils nationwide. Arden Williams was the guest speaker of this event and gave details about the Crossroads: Change in Rural America Tour, as well as previous tours that the Smithsonian Museum has teamed with Georgia Humanities to make possible. The Crossroads: Change in Rural America will be hosted in six Georgia communities. These cities include Thomaston, McRae-Helena, Monticello, Cuthbert, Summerville, and Blue Ridge. The tour will span from Aug. 24, 2019 to June 6, 2020. Exhibit sections include Identity, Land, Community, Persistence, Managing Change and a local exhibit about the Thomaston-Upson Community. Thomaston is the first and opening location for the tour. Museum on Main Street, a division of the Smithsonian Institution, teamed up with Georgia Humanities and has held several state-wide traveling exhibits in previous years including New Harmonies, Key Ingredients, and Hometown Teams. Impacts from these tours include increased numbers of visitors, new partnerships, knowledge of resources for funding, new facilities and much more.

sheriff's office releases 2018 activity report

Published 4-17-2019 Upson County Sheriff Dan Kilgore released the following as a 2018 activity count snapshot providing details of the activities for his office:• Court Services: Served 453 civil papers; managed 429 inmates from jail to court appearances; worked 19 probate court days, 41 juvenile court days and 69 superior court days for a total of 129 court days. • Patrol Division: Deputies patrolled 307,977 miles and responded to 14,456 calls for assistance. • K-9 Program: K-9 Millie was responsible for 100 drug related arrest and assisted other law enforcement personnel in 52 other cases.• Sex Offender Registry: There were 130 total sex offender verifications; of the 130, 13 are presently in prison or jail; one sex offender absconded with warrant issue.• Jail Operations Division: 2,367 people were booked into the Upson County Jail in 2018 with an average daily jail population of 123 inmates.• Criminal Investigations Division: Investigated 606 criminal cases and arrested 114 individuals.• Training: Deputies and jail officers completed 4,441 hours of training in 2018.• Mental Health Transports: 237 total mental health transports with 24,994 total mental health transport miles.• Community Service Litter Detail: 812 county roads and city streets were serviced with 5,065 bags of trash/debris collected; 29,489 pounds of trash removed from roadways.• Junior Deputy Program SRO/Champs: 126 sixth grade junior deputies went to Washington D.C in May 2018. Currently we are instructing 296 fifth-graders in the CHAMPS Program. CHAMPS is a program developed to assist our youth in making healthy choices and good decisions, including safety, avoiding drugs, alcohol and tobacco.

​ Kilgore said, “I am honored to serve the citizens of Upson County and proud of the women and men in my office who work tirelessly every day to provide this community public safety services. Our success depends on listening to the community we serve and working together to make it a safe place to work and live. If you have any questions about this activity report, or how our activity affects your neighborhood, don’t hesitate to contact me. On behalf of the Upson County Sheriff’s Office, thank you for supporting this office and its dedicated staff.”

reynolds charged with murder of kyle spraggins

Published 4-17-2019 According to Upson County Sheriff Dan Kilgore, murder charges have been filed against 22-year old Jackie Lee Reynolds of Thomaston for the alleged shooting death of 27-year-old Kyle Spraggins. The shooting took place at 1748 Hendricks Church Road Around 3:45 p.m. March 10. Reynolds allegedly shot Spraggins with a 9 mm handgun and faces charges of malice and felony murder, aggravated assault and possession of a weapon in the commission of a crime. Reynolds is being held in the Upson County Jail without bond.

thomaston upson school system selects 2019-20 teachers of the year

Upson-Lee Primary School 2019-2020 Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Lauren Hall, a Kindergarten teacher, was chosen as the ULPS 2019-20 Teacher of the Year. She was selected by her peers to represent ULPS and will advance to the T-U system Teacher of the Year competition. L-R: ULPS Principal Mrs. Tracy Wainwright; ULPS Teacher of the Year Mrs. Lauren Hall; TU Superintendent Dr. Larry Derico

Upson-Lee Middle School 2019-2020 Teacher of the Year, Mr. Tim Bosworth, a 6th grade math teacher, was chosen as the ULMS 2019-20 Teacher of the Year. He was selected by his peers to represent ULMS and will advance to the T-U system Teacher of the Year competition. L-R: ULMS Principal Mrs. Rhonda Gulley; ULMS Teacher of the Year Mr. Tim Bosworth; TU Superintendent Dr. Larry Derico

Upson-Lee Elementary School 2019-2020 Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Amanda Waters, a 3rd grade teacher, was chosen as the ULES 2019-20 Teacher of the Year. She was selected by her peers to represent ULES and will advance to the T-U system Teacher of the Year competition. L-R: TU Superintendent Dr. Larry Derico; ULES Teacher of the Year Mrs. Amanda Waters; ULES Principal Mr. Shad Seymour

Upson-Lee High School 2019-2020
Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Bethany Norris, a World History and AP U.S. History teacher, was chosen as the ULHS 2019-20 Teacher of the Year. She was selected by her peers to represent ULHS and will advance to the T-U system Teacher of the Year competition. L-R: ULHS Principal Mr. Tracy Caldwell; ULHS Teacher of the Year Mrs. Bethany Norris; TU Superintendent Dr. Larry Derico

2019 Upson-lee prom king and queen

Published 4-3-2019Photos by Luke Haney 2019 Upson-Lee High Prom King Travon Walker and Prom Queen Kareenah Mann. See prom highlights in next week’s edition of the Upson Beacon.

gang leader sentenced to 20 years

Angelina Garcia AKA Donna Hitta

Published 4-3-2019 Angelina Garcia, also known as Donna Hitta, the leader of the Blood Diamond Kartel of the Donald Gee Family Blood Gang, was arrested in Thomaston January 2018 along with other gang members for the attempted murder of Ectaveia Bryant. Now, thanks to the work of the Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s office and the Thomaston Police Department, Garcia is sitting in jail serving a 20-year sentence and 20 years of probation to follow. Benjamin D. Coker, district attorney for the Griffin Judicial Circuit, issue the following press release last week: “Angelina Garcia, the leader of the Blood Diamond Kartel of the Donald Gee Family Blood Gang, pleaded guilty to orchestrating and ordering the attempted murder of the victim, Ectaveia Bryant. She was sentenced by the Honorable W. Fletcher Sams to 20 years to serve followed by 20 years on probation. She is banished from the Griffin Judicial Circuit, and she is to have no contact with any witness or any known gang member. “Garcia, AKA Donna Hitta, came down to Thomaston from the Atlanta area with other Donald Gee Family Blood Gang members. They lured the victim to a field in the city limits of Thomaston, and Garcia ordered the hit. At her direction, a co-defendant shot the victim in the back five times. Thankfully, he survived. Due to the swift response of the Thomaston Police Department officers on duty the night of Jan. 25, 2018, all involved parties were apprehended before they could leave town. “The Thomaston Police Department and the Upson County district attorney's office worked tirelessly to prosecute this case. Together, we devoted countless hours of preparation and resources. We would also like to thank the Upson County Sheriff's Office for their assistance in the case. This was truly a team effort. May this serve as a message to those gang members that try to infiltrate our community. The Thomaston Police Department, the Upson County Sheriff's Office, and the Upson County district attorney's office will work together, diligently, to prevent any future acts of this nature in our community. Thomaston Police Chief Mike Richardson issued the following statement on Garcia’s guilty plea: “Yesterday’s conviction of Ms. Garcia is a huge win for our local Law Enforcement’s fight against gang activity and a huge message to those who would think they can get away with committing such acts in our small quiet community. I guess we’re not the Mayberry they expected. I would like to thank Sgt. Brian Hammock and Cpt. Monica Snipes and all the TPD investigators and officers that worked so hard and diligently on this case. Your hard work and efforts made our community safer. Thanks to Sheriff Kilgore and all his jail staff who assisted throughout the case and keeping our courts safe during all the hearings and proceedings leading up to yesterday’s conviction. Finally, I would like to give a special thanks and hats off to district attorney Ben Coker and his entire Thomaston office, especially Lead prosecutor ADA Marie Broder and ADA Irvin, for their commitment, support, and tireless work devoted to making this a successful prosecution. The amount of time and preparation put into this case was unbelievable and we greatly appreciate all their hard work. Again, thanks to everyone involved in this case to include all the other agencies across the State and other States that assisted us. We are fully committed to protecting this community and combating gang. activity and violence so know if you choose to operate in this community that when caught you will be prosecuted with everything we got.”

raines graduates from fbi academy

Published 3-27-2019By Debbie McClain More than 200 law enforcement officers graduated from the FBI National Academy Program at Quantico, Va., and Upson County’s Maurice Raines was one of them. The 275th session of the National Academy consisted of men and women from 47 states and 26 international countries. Raines has been with the Georgia State Patrol for 29 years. He has served as Post 2 LaGrange commander for six years. He previously served as Upson County Commission Chairman. Raines was nominated by the Georgia Commissioner of Public Safety Mark McDonough to attend the academy and began courses in early January. The program is well known for its academic excellence. The 10-week class consists of advanced communication, leadership and fitness training for selected officers having proven records as professionals within their agencies. On average the officers chosen to attend have 20 years of law enforcement experience and usually return to their agencies to serve in executive-level positions. After graduation Raines was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and is now serving as the Georgia State Patrol liaison for Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. In his new role he will be meet with county sheriffs and police chiefs across the state to promote traffic awareness and traffic safety, networking and grant funding. Raines and his wife Angela have will be married for 30 years in April and have two children Zack and Caleb. ​

SCTC Hosts ribbon cutting for dart foundation technology lab

​Published 3-27-2019​By Luke Haney Southern Crescent Technical College, Inc. received a $99,405 grant from The Dart Foundation in 2018 which was used for a mechatronics lab on the Flint River Campus in Thomaston. The lab includes several computers, laptops and trainers that will allow students to learn “cutting edge technological skills” like robotics, ethernet communication, advanced PLC and voltage frequency motor drive operations. Trainers include a FANUC Robot, the Allen Bradley PLC Trainer and several other trainers to allow students hands-on experience that will prepare them for post-graduation work. All the equipment was put into one lab in Building E that was named the Dart Foundation Technology Lab. The ribbon cutting took place Wednesday, March 20, and several individuals representing Dart Foundation were on hand to participate in the ribbon cutting and tour the updated lab. “We are pleased to support Southern Crescent Technical College as part of our 2018 Workforce Development Initiative,” said Emily L. Matthews, Dart Foundation Manager. “Southern Crescent’s industrial systems program closely aligns with our funding priorities for this initiative. Students have a growing interest in the manufacturing field and it’s essential for educational institutions like Southern Crescent to expand training opportunities with facilities containing the latest in equipment and technology.” Dr. Alvetta P. Thomas, president of Southern Crescent Technical College, said, “This is an exciting day for the college and especially the students in the Mechatronics Program. The trainers that have been purchased from this grant will assist the College to build a strong program with more graduates in the maintenance field. Thank you, Dart Foundation, for your generous donation and partnership. You are helping Southern Crescent Technical College to build strong students, strong careers, and strong communities. Director of SCTC Marketing and Public Relations, Anna Taylor wrote, “The Dart Foundation is a private family foundation established by Dart Container Corporation founder William A. Dart and his wife Claire T. Dart. The foundation supports projects that enhance education, especially in areas of science, technology, engineering and math, and those that improve the quality of life in specific communities, including Thomaston and the surrounding areas.”

Grand Jury Returns Murder Indictments for Shooting Death of Lamar County Man

Cameron Jones of Thomaston

Kiera Williams of Ellenwood

Published 3-27-2019 The Upson County Grand Jury recently indicted 20-year-old Cameron Jones of Thomaston and 18-year-old Kiera Williams of Ellenwood for the shooting death of Roderick Crawford of Lamar County. Both were indicted on charges of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, kidnapping, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and theft by receiving stolen property. The indictments stem from a case released by Upson County Sheriff Dan Kilgore on Jan. 4 involving a body that had been located by a deputy around 9 p.m. on Jan. 3. At the time of the report, the deceased was believed to be Crawford, who was reported missing on Dec. 29. The body was found behind a trailer at 1414 Grantling Street in the Lincoln Park area of Thomaston, then was later identified as Crawford.

mcrae upson emc's hubert hancock leadership award recipient

​Published 3-20-2019 Thomaston-Upson Chamber of Commerce’s Class of 2018-2019 Youth Leadership Upson graduation was held last week, and Colby McRae of Thomaston was named Upson EMC’s Hubert Hancock Leadership Award recipient. Brittney Woodard was named the first runner-up. McRae will attend the 54th annual Washington Youth Tour, an all-expense paid trip to Washington DC and a once in a lifetime leadership experience made possible through the generosity of the electric membership cooperatives (EMCs) in Georgia, including Upson EMC. Woodard will receive an all-expense paid trip to the Georgia Cooperative Council Youth Conference in Covington. According to Brooke Parrott with Upson EMC, “It is an honor to be chosen for the trip. Candidates compete for a spot alongside other teens who are community volunteers in a variety of youth service organizations, student athletes, and members of respected academic organizations such as Beta Club, National Honor Society, student council, Key Club, Debate Club, Future Business Leaders of America, Interact Club, and Science Olympiad, as well as other notable clubs and associations. Colby was carefully selected through an application process which included the Thomaston-Upson Chamber of Commerce’s youth leadership group.” This years Youth Leadership students who participated in the final competition for the trip to Washington D.C. included Kyler Allen, John Armstrong, Ben McDaniel and Knox Miller. Other students in this year’s Youth Leadership Upson Class were Ash​ynn Anderson, Rachel Cochran, Maliyah Howell, Trey Kelly, Kolleen King, Avery Pardue and Makayla Sanders.The Youth Tour was established to inspire the next generation of leaders. This year’s tour, which takes place June 13-20, will expose students to the fast-paced world of politics and leadership. Former delegates and participating EMCs agree the Youth Tour has grown into an invaluable program that gives young adults an experience that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. A former delegate stated: “I imagined what this trip was going to be like, but it was better, and exceeded my every expectation,” recalls a recent delegate “Don’t be surprised when you come home saying it was the best trip of your entire life.” Students Delegates will explore government on a local and national level, gathering in Atlanta before departing for Washington, D.C. While visiting our nation’s capital the delegates will have the opportunity to meet with their elected officials to discuss and learn about issues that are important locally. The Georgia delegation will join more than 1,700 additional youth representing cooperatives across the nation. The students will have the opportunity to exchange ideas and views about local and national issues with peers from other states.

dr. jarvis price named new principal of upson-lee high school

Published 3-20-2019 During the March 12 meeting, the Thomaston-Upson Board of Education approved Dr. Jarvis Price as Principal of Upson-Lee High School, as recommended by Superintendent Dr. Larry Derico. Dr. Price currently serves as assistant principal at Upson Lee High School and is completing his second year at the school. He holds a Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership from Georgia Southern University along with the following degrees: Bachelor of Science in Education with a major in Middle Grades Education (Georgia Southern University); Master of Education in Educational Leadership (Georgia College & State University); Education Specialist in Educational Leadership (Georgia College & State University); Education Specialist in Curriculum & Instruction (Liberty University). Dr. Price has worked as a middle grades teacher in the Thomaston-Upson and Bibb County School Systems and served as assistant principal of Baldwin High School for two years prior to coming to ULHS as assistant principal. Dr. Price’s wife, the former Ashley Favors, is a school counselor at Upson-Lee Middle School. Both Dr. and Mrs. Price were born and raised in Upson County and graduated from Upson-Lee High School. They are expecting their first child in July of this year. Dr. Price will take over the position of ULHS Principal following Mr. Tracy Caldwell's retirement at the end of this school year.

upson assists tornado victims in talbotton

Work crews and volunteers from Upson assist in clean-up efforts in Talbotton.

Volunteers take a short break from loading supplies for Talbotton.

Published 3-13-2019By Jim Wheeless As tornadoes ripped through Alabama and Georgia, one of the hardest hit areas was Talbot County. In the city of Talbotton, with a population of approximately 900 people, a tornado destroyed numerous homes and buildings, flattening some to the ground. The storm snapped power poles and trees, with the debris blocking roadways. As the residents of Talbotton continue to sift through their belongings, big hearts heard the community's outcry and decided to reach out to those in distress. Upson County EMA Director Martha Anne McCrary provided a list of needed supplies to the Beacon, World Finance and Armstrong School of Dance, and donations poured in immediately. Sertoma members Jeff Sanders and Don Greathouse took a truck load of the much-needed relief supplies to Talbotton within 48 hours of the tornado. Upson County’s giving spirit did not stop with just one large donation. The second shipment of relief supplies filled an ambulance, a van and a truck, pluscash donations of more than $300. As Talbotton still struggles in the aftermath from the tornado, the donations become a grain of hope for a better future. Debbie Lord, publisher of the Beacon said, “A huge thank you to my staff at the Beacon, Armstrong School of Dance and World Finance for donating and collecting supplies and to the Thomaston Sertoma Club members, Don Greathouse, Stan Searcy, Jeff McDuffie and Jeff Sanders who volunteered to deliver the supplies and recruited more volunteers to help load, deliver and unload. A special thank you to Jeff Sanders, to Community Ambulance Services and to Fletcher-Day Funeral Home for volunteering and providing the transportation needed. The kindness continued as many local citizens went to Talbotton to work with residents to remove the storm debris. According to reports, more than 600 people from across the state came to Talbotton Saturday, March 9 to help those affected by the tornado. You can donate items at drop off centers: Talbot County Family Connection, Talbot County Fire Department, Powell Baptist Church, New Salem Baptist Church, or the Talbot County Chamber of Commerce. Cash denotations can be sent to Talbot County Relief Fund, c/o People’s Bank 26 Monroe St. Talbotton, Ga 31827.

Heart & soul summit held

Orton Family Foundation representatives with community leaders discussing Phase Two findings.

Published 3-6-2019By Jennifer G. Rogers, Project Coordinator On Wednesday, Feb. 20, seven members of the Orton Family Foundation from Vermont, Maine, and Colorado visited Thomaston to wrap up Phase 2 of the Thomaston-Upson Community Heart & Soul process. The Heart & Soul Summit hosted around 100 people for a lunch meeting to refine the value statements and involve everyone to determine what matters most in the community. During the meeting, each table was presented with actual data that has been collected from the community over the past year. The following themes were discussed: Arts & Culture, Downtown Thomaston, Flint River/The Bluff, Local Assets, Local Economy, Natural Assets, Parks & Recreation, Public School System, Small Town Feel & The People To date, Thomaston-Upson Heart & Soul has connected with 6,060 citizens and collected 2,799 data points that will directly impact local decision making. The work from the Summit was to refine the value statements about “what we love and value in the community” and was released on Heart & Soul’s Facebook page March 1 to be voted on by the community and refined further for the next two months. These statements will eventually be adopted by the city, county, school board and other organizations to be a compass to help guide Thomaston-Upson’s leaders in future decision making and be an addition to our Community’s Comprehensive Plan. Phase 3 will focus on our hopes and concerns for the community. Follow Heart & Soul’s Facebook page for upcoming events and dates.

Published 3-6-2019 Travel insurance comparison site, Squaremouth, understands most travelers don’t read their policy documentation. To highlight the importance of reading a policy from start to finish, Squaremouth hosted a top-secret national contest that ended in a $30,000 payout. Squaremouth launched the Pays to Read contest on Feb. 11, with the aim of rewarding $10,000 to the first person to read through their policy documentation. The contest was slated to last 12 months. If a winner came forward in that time, Squaremouth would give them $10,000, and donate an additional $10,000 to Reading Is Fundamental, a children’s literacy charity. If there wasn’t a winner, Squaremouth would still donate $10,000 to Reading Is Fundamental. To find the contest winner, Squaremouth hid the contest details in its policy documentation. Much to Squaremouth’s surprise, Andrews, a school teacher from Georgia, read her entire policy and claimed the prize in just 23 hours. “When we first spoke with Andrews, her dedication to reading and teaching stood out immediately,” says Squaremouth CEO Chris Harvey. “Her enthusiasm inspired us to make additional donations.” To honor Andrews’ commitment to her schools, Squaremouth gave an additional $5,000 to each of the schools where she teaches in Georgia: Upson-Lee High School and Lamar County High School. The money will be used to contribute to each of the school’s work-based learning programs and to buy new textbooks. Andrews teaches high school students important life skills as part of Georgia’s work-based learning program, such as work ethic, how to find jobs, and how to interview. One of the skills she emphasizes to all her classes: the importance of reading contracts. “Teaching students to read their contracts has always been close to my heart because of my consumer economics background,” Andrews says. “I always read every contract I sign. It really paid off for me this time!” The prize will fund a special vacation for Andrews and her husband: a trip to Scotland to celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary and her upcoming retirement. She applied for retirement through the state of Georgia a week before winning the Pays to Read contest. “We were on the waitlist for the trip of a lifetime to Scotland, and they just called us and said a spot has become available if we want it,” Andrews says. “This will certainly pay for almost all of that trip!”

15th annual sports hof banquet held

2019 Sports Hall of Fame Inductees: Five individuals and one team were inducted into the Thomaston-Upson Hall of Fame Saturday, including (standing L-R) Marie Daniel (accepting for her husband, the late Ben Daniel), Danny Kelly, Gary Sharpe (accepting for the 1979 Upson High men's basketball team), Rick Rawlins, (seated) daughter Carson and wife Carmen Parks (accepting for Tommy Parks), and Helen Smith.

Published 2-27-2019By Bridge Turner Five individuals and one team were inducted into the Thomaston-Upson Sports Hall of Fame at the organization’s 15th annual induction banquet, held Saturday night at Upson Lee High School. HOF board member Jim Fowler announced the first inductee, the late Ben Daniel, who was a 1962 graduate of R.E. Lee Institute and a three-year letterman and starter on the Rebel football team which gave the area its first-ever region championship in 1961. An “undersized offensive lineman,” according to his profile, Daniel was co-captain of the 1961 squad that posted an 11-2 record, won both the Region 4-AAAA and AAA North Georgia championships, and played for the AAA state title. He also logged considerable playing time on the defensive line. Daniel received the Rebels’ “Most Outstanding Lineman” award following the 1961 season, earned honorable mention to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution AAA All-State team, and competed in the 1962 Georgia High School all-star game. Following graduation from Lee, Daniel received a football scholarship to the Citadel, where he played for four years and lettered in 1965.The second inductee, Danny Kelly, is a 1966 graduate of Yatesville High School, where he was a letterman on the 1965 Yellow Jackets basketball team that won the Class C state championship. Kelly became a Georgia High School Association basketball official in 1973, and is best-known (aside from being a popular postal carrier) for his 45 years of officiating multiple sports in the area. He called the GISA state tournament for 12 years, the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association’s All-State basketball game in 2004, and the GHSA All-Star softball game in 1998. A regular with the Thomaston-Upson Recreation Department for more than 30 years, Kelly umpired the Dixie League Baseball state finals for 14 years, and officiated the GPRA state basketball final eight times. He served as president and booking secretary of the Thomaston-Upson Officials League, secretary and treasurer of the Greater Georgia Basketball Officials Association, and is currently president of the Diamond Baseball and Softball Officials Association. Tommy Parks, head football coach at Upson Lee High School from 2014-2016, was the third inductee of the night, drawing emotional comments from HOF board member John Duncan and UL Athletic Director Bryce Robinson. Parks left coaching following a massive heart attack in July 2017, and was not able to attend the ceremony because of ongoing health issues. A 1990 graduate of R.E. Lee Institute, Parks was a starter on both the football and baseball teams, and starting defensive tackle on the Rebels’ 1988 AA state championship football team. After graduation, he played baseball at L.B. Wallace Community College, where he was an all-conference pitcher in his sophomore year. He also pitched at Berry College, and was selected to the GIAC All-Conference second team in 1993 and GIAC All-Conference first team in 1994. Parks served in multiple coaching positions at Berry College, Andalusia (Ala.) High School, and Manchester High School before being named head football coach at Harris County High School in 2002. In a dual role with the Tigers, as baseball coach from 2003-2008, he won more than 120 baseball games. His teams won three region championships in baseball, and two region titles in football. In three years as head football coach at Upson Lee, he compiled a 21-11 record and led the Knights to state playoff appearances two of the three seasons. Parks was named 2006 All-Bi-City Baseball Coach of the Year, 2012 All-Bi-City Football Coach of the Year, 2013 Region 1-AAAAA Football Coach of the Year, and Atlanta Falcons Class AAAAA Coach of the Year in 2012. But according to both Duncan and Robinson, Parks’ top priority was preparing and motivating his players to be the “best sons, husbands, fathers, and citizens possible” during their lives after sports. Parks’ wife, Carmen, and daughter, Carson, accepted on his behalf. Rick Rawlins, the fourth inductee, is a 1972 graduate of R.E. Lee Institute and achieved the rare status of being a four-year starter for the Rebel football team. Even more rare, he was a member of Lee’s teams that never lost a road game during his four seasons of action. A multi-position player showing versatility at defensive end, tight end and offensive tackle during his career, Rawlins prophetically received Most Promising Player honors in 1968, then was named Most Valuable Player in 1971. He also received the Outstanding Offensive Lineman award following the 1971 season, earned honorable mention on the AJC AAA all-state team, and played in the Georgia High School all-star game. Following graduation, Rawlins received a scholarship to Georgia Tech, where he was a starter at nose guard and defensive end as a sophomore in 1973. A back injury forced him out of football in 1974, but not before his outstanding performance against then top-ranked Southern Cal earned him “Lineman-of-the-Week” recognition nationally.In accepting, Rawlins said one of his proudest moments was when his peers voted him “Mr. R.E. Lee.” He pursued a degree in forestry, and now resides in Highlands, N.C. Helen (Middlebrooks) Smith, a 1964 graduate of R.E. Lee, rounded out the night’s individual honors. A three-year starter for the Lady Rebels basketball team, she was a member of the squad that posted a perfect 32-0 record on the way to a AAA state championship in 1963. During her junior and senior years, the Lady Rebels won 59 consecutive games. Smith averaged 17 points per game on the title team, and scored 22 points in the 69-62 state championship victory. “She made this team go,” said the late Coach Jim Cavan. “She was the playmaker." Smith was named MVP following the 1963 campaign, then received honorable mention to the AAA all-state team after leading the Lady Rebels to a runner-up finish in the state tournament in 1964. “Smith was the ultimate team player,” according to her HOF profile. “Statistics don’t truly represent her value to these great Lee teams.” Her husband, Bobby, was inducted into the local Hall of Fame in 2011. The 1979 Upson High School Yellow Jacket men’s basketball team, coached by the late John Thrower, was the final inductee for 2019. Gary Sharpe, then assistant to Thrower, spoke on the team’s accomplishments, including an unusual state tournament win now known as the “four-second game.” After seemingly topping Dublin 66-65 in the state quarterfinals, it was discovered that an error by the official scorekeeper would require the teams to replay the game’s final four seconds. Despite Upson’s appeal to the GHSA, the teams, coaches and officials were called back to the Macon Coliseum, which was closed to the public. Dublin inbounded under its basket, failed to score, and the victory was official. The Jackets came within one point of a state championship that year, falling to Southwest Atlanta 69-68 in the AAA finals.The 1979 team compiled a season record of 27-4, which included two one-point losses. The average margin of victory was 17 points, with nine wins by 25 points or more, and the run included a tournament title in the Troup Holiday Classic and a Region 4-AAA championship. The Yellow Jackets were led by Glenn “Fish” Ferguson, who averaged 23.9 points and 13.5 rebounds, followed by Robert Caldwell with an average of 14.1 points and 10 rebounds per game. Other teams members were O’Neal Garmon, Anthony Gray, Terry Hollis, Ronnie Jordan, Grant King, Keith Quiller, Terry Respress, Ralph Searcy, Marcus Stackhouse, Randall Walker, and manager James Hollis. “This evening’s five individual and one team inductee join an impressive group of 95 individuals and 18 teams that compose the Thomaston-Upson Sports Hall of Fame,” Fowler said. “We congratulate them, and are excited to have them join what is already an extraordinary group of athletes, coaches, and contributors.” Individual plaques bearing accomplishments of the HOF members are located at the civic center. “The (HOF) belongs to the community, and we covet the support and input of our citizens,” Fowler concluded. “We encourage everyone to visit this exhibit, and learn more about the notable careers of all the members of our organization.” Members of the 2019 HOF board of directors include Fowler, Duncan, Jim Pruett, Phyllis Sanders, Toiee Park, Hayley Rechtorovic, Ronnie Lowe, Ronald Johnston, Steve Ellerbee, Marcus Cunningham, Freddie Sparks, and Robbie Sheppard.

29 cats and 17 dogs are seized

Mother & Daughter face Animal Cruelty ChargesPublished 2-20-2019 According to a press released from Upson County Sheriff Dan Kilgore, “On Thursday Feb. 14, Upson Sheriff’s deputies and Upson Animal Control officers responded to 1178 Atwater Road in Thomaston, in reference to an animal cruelty investigation. A total of 29 cats and 17 dogs were seized from the location and placed at the Upson Animal Shelter. “Nine dogs and 24 cats were found to be living inside the residence in extremely unsanitary conditions. The animals were watered and fed; however, there was an extreme amount of animal feces and urine covering the entire floor throughout the residence. “Seven dogs were found in a pen outside the residence. The pen was also filthy and there was no water present for the dogs. Five cats were found in a pen outside the residence. They had food and water; but, were living in an extreme amount of animal excrement. Two females, a mother and daughter, who reside at the address claimed responsibility for the animals. Both are expected to be charged with Cruelty to animals as the investigation progresses. Upson County has served notice to both females that the residence is unsuitable for human inhabitation.This investigation is active and ongoing.”

boc approves new fund balance policy

Published 2-13-2019By Jim Wheeless The County Commissioners approved a new Fund Balance Policy to address the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statement No. 54 requirements. The policy establishes guidelines to prepare for unexpected events that could negatively affect the financial condition of the county and jeopardize continuation of essential public services. Under the new policy guidelines, the County will maintain adequate fund balances and reserves to provide sufficient cash flow for daily financial needs, to secure and maintain investment grade bond ratings, to offset significant economic downturns or revenue shortfalls, and to provide funds for unforeseen expenses related to emergencies. By definition the fund balance is the difference between assets and liabilities in a governmental fund and is the amount remaining after the fund's assets have been used to meet its liabilities. The fund balance is required to be reported in two components—reserved and unreserved. An unreserved general fund balance can be used for any purpose and an unreserved debt service fund balance can only be used to repay any outstanding debt. When a fund balance is reserved, it means the resources cannot be appropriated and spent (such as inventory) or that the resources are legally limited to being used for a particular purpose. The adopted policy authorizes the Finance Department to establish standards and procedures necessary for its implementation and to review the policy annually for recommending any changes to the Commission Board.

mia collier appointed magistrate court judge

Upson County Magistrate Judge Mia Collier

Published 2-6-2019By Jim Wheeless Mia Collier is a new Magistrate Court Judge in Upson County. Judge Collier was appointed to the position after the retirement of Judge Ed Searcy. Mia Collier is a native of Thomaston and has worked in the Technical College System of Georgia as an advisory board member, coordinator, facilitator, and instructor in directing programs, implementing policies and procedures, and strengthening community relations for the past 17 years. Judge Collier holds a MBA from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Mercer University. Outside of work, Mia is passionate about traveling, attending movies, outreach in the community, having amazing dinners with family and good friends, and spending quality time with her husband, Eddie, and their children, Keves and Malachi. The family attends Stone Well Worship Center, where they are active members. Judge Collier says “Five words you can count on from Mia is love, integrity, commitment, compassionate and fair.”

violent escape planned by murder suspect failed

Upson County Deputies and members of Clayton County S.W.A.T. surround Upson County Courthouse Monday morning.

Published 2-6-2019 Armed Clayton County Swat team members and Upson County Deputies surrounded the Upson County courthouse after Clayton County law enforcement officials intercepted death threat to help a suspect escape prior to a preliminary and bond hearing. The hearing was for Cameron Jones who was charged in the murder of Roderick Crawford of Barnesville in December 2018. Jones reportedly has ties to a gang and solicited help escaping by shooting deputies in the head during transport from Clayton County where he is being held. A press release from Upson County Sheriff Dan Kilgore said, “On Monday, Feb. 4, a preliminary hearing and bond hearing was held at the Upson County Courthouse in the Cameron Jones murder case. Jones is charged with the December 2018 murder of Roderick Crawford, of Barnesville, and is being held in the Clayton County Jail. Late last week Clayton County Sheriff’s officials discovered a plot for Jones to escape during transport to this morning’s hearing. Jones was soliciting an unnamed individual to shoot the transporting deputies in the head in order for him to escape. “Sheriff Victor Hill notified me of the threat and offered his S.W.A.T team as a resource. Both agencies worked together to formulate and execute a plan that assured the safety of all law enforcement officers, court personnel and the public.I extend my thanks to Sheriff Hill on a job well done. This case is active and ongoing.” Jones of Thomaston, is one of two suspects charged in the murder of Crawford. Jones was originally booked and charged in Upson with murder, armed robbery, kidnapping, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm while in commission of a felony Jan. 9. Jones had to be transported from the Clayton County Jail where he is being held on a separate murder charge. Kiera Williams, of Ellenwood, is the second suspect in the murder and has been in custody at the Upson County Jail for more than 30 days. Crawford went missing from his home in Barnesville Thursday, Dec. 28, 2018 around 7 p.m. According to a press release from Upson County Sheriff Dan Kilgore, Crawford’s body was located by an Upson County deputy Thursday, Jan. 3, just before 9 p.m. behind an abandoned house located on Grantlin Street in Upson County. Kilgore said the investigation reveals that Crawford contacted Williams through an internet escort website and met her in Upson County, then was murdered. Further investigation concluded that Williams and Jones were tied to other crimes in the South Metro area, which include murder and armed robbery.

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